NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Health officials have confirmed that batches of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus.
The Metro Public Health Department said Friday that this is the first time this year mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus in Nashville. The mosquitoes were trapped in the following locations:
- Donelson neighborhood near the intersection of McGavock Pike and Lebanon Pike
- Pennington Bend Neighborhood near the intersection of McGavock Pike and Pennington Bend Road
- Inglewood neighborhood near the intersection of Gallatin Pike and Hart Lane
The department said staff will mail information about mosquito protection and prevention to addresses in the areas close to where the mosquitoes were trapped. They will also monitor standing water looking for mosquito larvae.
Staff began trapping mosquitoes in all parts of Davidson County the first week in May. There have been no human cases reported in Davidson County and health officials say there are no plans to spray to kill adult mosquitoes.
The Health Department recommends 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 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).
