Two batches of mosquitoes collected in Davidson County have tested positive for West Nile virus.
Metro Public Health officials said this is the first time this year mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus in the Nashville area.
The mosquitoes were trapped near the intersection of Edge O Lake Drive and Murfreesboro Road in Antioch and near the intersection of Alta Loma Drive and Gallatin Road in Madison.
There have been no human cases reported in Davidson County. Health officials said there are no plans to spray to kill adult mosquitoes.
The Health Department recommended the following steps to help 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).
Davidson County residents can call 615-340-5660 to report any mosquito problems.
