NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A batch of mosquitoes collected near the Priest Lake area in Nashville have tested positive for West Nile virus. No human cases have been reported.
The Metro Public Health department said the mosquitoes were trapped near the intersection of Mossdale Drive and Rural Hill Road.
Health officials said they began trapping mosquitoes in all parts of Davidson County during the first week in May. The mosquitoes are sent to the Tennessee Department of Health’s lab for testing.
The Health Department recommends taking the following steps to protect against 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."
They also recommend taking these steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas:
- "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)."
