Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been found in DeKalb County, and one of the two positive traps sits in a ZIP code shared by parts of Dunwoody.

DeKalb Public Health announced Wednesday, July 22, that lab results confirmed West Nile virus in two surveillance traps — the county's first positive results of 2026. The traps were located in ZIP code 30088 (Unincorporated DeKalb/Redan) and ZIP code 30360, which covers Doraville and portions of Dunwoody and Chamblee.

No human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in DeKalb County so far in 2026, according to the agency's press release, authored by Eric Nickens Jr.

The detection follows a similar finding in neighboring Fulton County roughly two weeks earlier, where health officials found West Nile-positive mosquitoes at a trap near Grant Park, according to Atlanta News First.

How the county tracks mosquitoes

DeKalb Public Health deploys traps across the county each summer to monitor mosquito-borne diseases. The traps sit in low-foot-traffic areas and are marked with red and white signs. Once collected, mosquitoes are examined under a microscope, sorted by species and gender, and tested for viruses. West Nile is the primary virus of concern in the Atlanta area, according to the agency.

Seasonal technicians also place larvicide in standing water sources such as storm drains to kill mosquitoes before they mature. The agency said larvicides do not harm people, pets, or the environment.

What DeKalb County residents should do

DeKalb Public Health urged residents to take these steps through summer and fall:

  • Eliminate standing water in gutters, planters, toys, wheelbarrows and old tires at least once a week.
  • Trim tall grass, weeds and vines where mosquitoes rest.
  • Check window and door screens for tight fit.
  • Limit time outdoors at dawn and dusk, when West Nile-carrying mosquitoes are most active.
  • Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
  • Spray clothing with permethrin according to label instructions.
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

Residents can contact DeKalb Public Health's Environmental Health division at (404) 508-7900 or visit dekalbpublichealth.com/mosquitocontrol for more information.