CDC confirms six human cases of West Nile in Georgia

ATLANTA - The CDC in Atlanta has confirmed six human cases of the West Nile virus in Georgia this year. <br> <br> Two Georgians have died and four more were sickened by the virus, which is carried by mosquitoes. Georgia health officials announced the six cases last week and the CDC added them to a national tally released Thursday. <br> <br> So far, 480 people nationwide have caught West Nile this year. More than 30 have died from it. Health officials urge people to wear insect repellent and long sleeves to avoid mosquito bites. <br> <br> The Georgia deaths announced last week were a 51-year-old Atlanta man and a 77-year-old man from Columbus. <br> <br> Last year, the only Georgia fatality was a 71-year-old Atlanta woman. Doctors say advanced age is the number one risk factor for catching the virus.