Mosquito-borne viruses are caused by bites from infected mosquitoes. The best way to prevent mosquito-borne viruses is to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and protect ourselves from mosquito bites. One of the most effective ways of preventing mosquito breeding and thus the spread of mosquito-borne viruses is controlling the mosquito population by getting rid of standing water around the home and in the yard. Residents are urged to clean up around their homes, yards, and communities and get rid of unnecessary items that can hold water and turn into mosquito breeding grounds. Additional information about mosquito-borne viruses such as Chikungunya, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile Virus (WNV), and Zika Virus is available from the Georgia Department of Health Coastal Health District.
Drain – Empty any containers holding standing water – buckets, barrels, flower pots, tarps – because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.