WSWG - Headlines  Three South Georgians Killed By West Nile
Virus  By: Greg Gullberg Email  - Valdosta, Ga. - Aug. 24, 2012
-  This year is the deadliest one ever for the West Nile Virus.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention,
almost 50 people have died nationwide and we are just now
starting the peak West Nile Season. Three of those deaths were
in South Georgia.  "They all were in the Albany area. Two were
actually in Dougherty County and one was in Early County," said
Courtney Sheeley, spokeswoman for Georgia's South Health
District.  Every Georgia death has come just miles apart. Health
officials say all three people who died were older adults. Why
is this year so bad?  "Some have contributed it to the mild
winter season that we have had and then also we have had a lot
of rain this summer. So people are thinking this mosquito
activity is up due to that," Sheeley said.  The West Nile Virus
can lead to brain or spinal cord swelling and even death. But
only 20% of people who are bitten