Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus near Murphy Road and I-440

From the Metro Public Health Department:

A batch of mosquitoes collected by the Metro Public Health Department have tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquitoes were trapped in West Nashville near where Murphy Road crosses over I-440. This is the same area where a batch of mosquitoes tested positive for WNV in July. There have been no human cases reported.

The Health Department's Pest Management staff will increase surveillance efforts in the area by placing additional mosquito traps and monitoring standing water and applying larvicide when mosquito larvae are present. The Health Department has no plans at this time to spray the area.

"The risk of illness is low, and with cooler nights mosquitoes will be less active," said Bill Paul, M.D., Director of Health for the Metro Public Health Department. "People can reduce risk further by taking common sense precautions to avoid mosquito bites," Paul said.

Mosquitoes have tested positive this year in Antioch and Goodlettsville in addition to the West Nashville location.

Safety precautions to protect against biting mosquito:

Limit time outdoors at dusk and nighttime hours when mosquitoes are present.

When outdoors 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.
The Health Department asks community members to reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by removing standing water in your yard – especially in children's toys, bird baths, clogged gutters, tires, flowerpots, trashcans, and wheelbarrows, as well as cutting back overgrown vegetation (mosquito hiding areas).