Metro Public Health Department officials announced today a batch of mosquitoes recently collected by the Department’s Pest Management Division have tested positive for West Nile virus. Pest Management staff captured the mosquitoes at a trap near the intersection of Bell Road and Anderson Road in Southeast Nashville. There have been no human cases reported.
The Health Department’s Pest Management staff sends fliers to residences in the impacted areas with steps to protect against biting mosquitoes and to take steps to reduce standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs. This is in addition to Pest Management revisiting these areas and setting additional traps, monitoring areas of standing water, and applying larvicide if mosquito larvae are present. The Health Department does not spray to kill adult mosquitoes.The Health Department began trapping mosquitoes in May and sending them to be tested at the Tennessee Department of Health’s lab.Health Department officials recommend taking steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas. This includes:
- Reduce or eliminate all standing water in your yard – especially in children’s toys, bird baths, clogged gutters, tires, flowerpots, trashcans, and wheelbarrows.
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with Gambusia fish.
- Apply mosquito dunks in standing water areas on your property.
- Cut back overgrown vegetation, where mosquitos can easily hide.
Health officials recommend taking the following steps to protect against biting mosquitoes, including:
- Limit time outdoors at dusk and nighttime hours when mosquitoes are present.
- If you must be outdoors then wear a mosquito repellent that is approved for use by the CDC – those include products that contain DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
- Wear shoes, socks, long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors during dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials to keep mosquitoes away from the skin. Pant legs should be tucked into shoes or socks, and collars should be buttoned.
- Make sure your windows and doors have screens and are in good repair.
Health Department staff traps mosquitoes in all parts of Davidson County and conducts surveillance of standing water. Pest management staff applies larvicide when mosquito larvae are present. Health officials say there are no plans to spray to kill adult mosquitoes.
Anyone seeking more information about mosquito control in Davidson County may call 615-340-5660. Information is also available at Health Department Pest Management Services
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