Zika: “A Problem We Shouldn’t Ignore”

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dr. Larry Anderson, Chairperson of the Dawson County Health Board, made a special presentation to the Dawson County Board of Commissioners Thursday on preventing the spread of the Zika Virus. Anderson cautioned officials, saying it is “a problem we shouldn’t ignore.”

Zika is transmitted primarily by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito and Anderson said efforts to eradicate the virus should focus on eliminating standing water in places like old tires, buckets, planters, swimming pools, pet watering bowls and rain gutters.

But the disease can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her unborn child. Symptoms included headaches, joint and muscle pain or conjunctivitis.

Anderson reported that organizations like city and county government, Keep Dawson County Beautiful, Dawson County EMS, the Health Department and Vietnam Veterans of America have joined the Zika Coalition of Dawson County to help keep the county free of the Zika Virus.

The City of Dawsonville has posted a press release on its website and social media websites regarding the Zika virus and what citizens can do to keep mosquitoes from breeding.

County code enforcement personnel are visiting tire and auto services with copies of the local ordinances on the proper control and methods of storage of tires to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

The group meets monthly in the community room in the Racing Hall of Fame.