ALBANY, GA - News release from Southwest Public Health District

September is National Preparedness Month, and Southwest District Public Health is reminding residents of the four steps to take to be ready for disasters - get a kit, make a plan, be involved and be informed.

“As an incentive to get prepared, Southwest Georgia Public Health District will be giving away a personal preparedness kit to the 100th individual to `like’ our Facebook page,” said District Emergency Preparedness Director Julie Miller.

ALBANY, GA - The number of West Nile virus cases in South Georgia has risen to 12 according to the Southwest Health District, 12 of those being 3 deaths.

There have been 12 confirmed West Nile virus cases in South Georgia including seven in Dougherty, two in Lee, one in Early, one in Mitchell, and one in Worth counties.

“The older you are, the more likely that you could get severely ill if you get infected. People who have received an organ transplant are also at higher risk for severe disease,” said Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant.

ALBANY, GA - News release from Southwest Public Health District

Four more human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Southwest Health District this week, bringing the season’s total to five, and prompting Public Health officials to remind residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.