DeKalb County man hospitalized for over a week with West Nile virus

Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Brittany Kleinpeter, WSB-TV, WSB-TV (ABC) - News · July 24, 2026 · 2 min read

A mosquito bite is something most people try to ignore, but for one DeKalb County man, one bite turned into a life-threatening battle. William Cross says he never imagined he would end up hospitalized after being infected with the West Nile virus. “I remember waking up one morning and there were ...

Why this matters in The Atlanta

The recent confirmation of West Nile virus in DeKalb County mosquito samples serves as a stark reminder for Atlanta area residents to take preventative measures against the disease. With two ZIP codes already testing positive, the risk of human infection is a concern for local health officials. As William Cross's experience illustrates, the consequences of West Nile virus can be severe, making it crucial for residents to eliminate standing water around their homes and use insect repellent when outdoors. The fact that local pest control companies are seeing an increase in mosquito-control customers suggests that residents are taking the threat seriously. However, with the summer months being peak mosquito season, it is essential for residents to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities. By doing so, they can reduce the risk of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses in the Atlanta area.

About this story

Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News. The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 24, 2026 · Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News · Reading time: 2 min

Frequently asked about this story

What is this story about?

When was this published?

This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Brittany Kleinpeter, WSB-TV at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

Summary created by	The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Brittany Kleinpeter, WSB-TV, WSB-TV (ABC) - News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 24, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 24, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

DeKalb County man hospitalized for over a week with West Nile virus

More stories

Large police presence blocks several lanes of I-285 in DeKalb County

DeKalb County man hospitalized for over a week with West Nile virus

Democratic candidates use sheriff’s annual event to court voters one day after Trump rally

Snellville church youth group credits faith after escaping charter bus fire

Crash briefly shuts down I-285 southbound in Atlanta

Georgia gig workers, rideshare drivers to get higher IRS mileage reimbursement rate

Tropical Storm Bertha enters Texas as rains spread along Gulf Coast, downgraded to remnants only

51-year-old man shot and killed on Martin Luther King Jr Drive NW

Atlanta Dogwood Festival returning to Piedmont Park in April

What happens to Atlanta's homeless outreach now the World Cup is over?

Man shot, killed in Atlanta’s Mozley Park neighborhood, police say

Man found shot to death inside car outside Atlanta convenience store

Get the briefing.