A human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Davidson County.
A batch of mosquitoes collected in North Nashville recently tested positive for West Nile virus. Officials with the Metro Public Health Department said the mosquitoes were gathered near the intersection of Buchanan Street and D.B. Todd Boulevard.
However, officials said the infected person had traveled outside Tennessee before becoming ill, making it possible that it's a travel-related case.
Metro staff began trapping mosquitoes in all parts of Davidson County during the first week of May. Health officials said they have no plans to spray to kill adult mosquitoes.
The Health Department recommended taking the following steps to protect against biting mosquitoes:
- 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 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 (mosquito hiding areas).
Visit the health department’s website for updates.
