Metro Public Health Department officials have announced three new batches of mosquitoes collected by the Department’s Pest Management Division have tested positive for West Nile virus.
One of the batches was collected in an east Nashville neighborhood near the intersection of McFerrin Ave. and Grandada Ave. Another batch was collected in Bordeaux near the intersection of Hydes Ferry Road and Ashton Ave. The third batch was collected in an Inglewood neighborhood near the intersection of McGavock Pike and Fernwood Drive.
There have been 26 batches of mosquitoes that have tested positive in Nashville/Davidson County since May 1, including areas of Bellevue, Bordeaux, Donelson, West Nashville, north Nashville, east Nashville, and Goodlettsville. There have been no human cases reported in Davidson County.
The Health Department’s Pest Management staff has visited each area and will continue to inspect standing water areas and apply larvicide if mosquito larvae are present. There are no plans to spray in the areas.
The Health Department began trapping mosquitoes and sending them to be tested at the Tennessee Department of Health’s lab the first week in May.
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).
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 340-5660. Information is also available at the Health Department’s website <www.nashville. gov/Health-Department. aspx> .
