Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Health Department Trapping Finds High Infestation Mosquitoes

NASHVILLE, Tenn., September 1, 2006 Mosquitoes collected by the Metro Public Health Department's Pest Management Division in a section of Goodletsville and in an area of Old Hickory have tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquitoes that tested positive were trapped in Goodletsville near the intersection of Greer Road and Ivy Point Road, and in the Old Hickory area near the intersection of Old Hickory Boulevard and Robertson Road.

Health Department trapping efforts have also identified high infestation of mosquitoes in a section of south Nashville. A trap in the south Nashville neighborhood captured more than 100 female culex mosquitoes in one night. The culex species of mosquitoes are the ones most likely carry WNV.

There have been no human WNV cases reported this year in Davidson County.

The Health Department's Pest Management staff continues to trap mosquitoes in all parts of Davidson County and conduct surveillance of standing water and apply larvacide when mosquito larvae are present.

The most likely method of WNV transmission to humans and other animals is by biting mosquitoes that are carrying the disease. Therefore, the Health Department recommends community members take the following steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites, 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 will continue to monitor standing water areas and apply larvacide when mosquito larvae are present and place mosquito traps in all areas within Davidson County. Residents who would like to report mosquito problem areas are encouraged to contact the Health Department's Pest Management Services at 340-5660.

The Health Department seeks to make the spraying process as safe and effective as possible. We use all communication resources available to notify community members of when and where we will conduct spraying. Notification is provided on Thursdays for areas to be sprayed for the upcoming week.

MPHD Spray Notification Activity:

* Spray notification details with maps placed on MPHD website. (healthweb.nashville.gov - please note there is no www in our Internet address) To sign up for our e-mail notification, please go to our website and follow the step by step directions. Spray notification details placed on MHPD telephone hotline (340-5668). Use of Reverse 911 technology to send spray notification details to all households within the planned spray area with a telephone.
* Spray notification maps and details placed on Metro 3.
* Distribution of news releases with specific boundaries to news media complete with maps of the area to be sprayed.
* E-mail spray notification specifics with maps to Mayor's office and Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods.
* E-mail spray notification specifics and maps to Metro Council Members.
* E-mail spray notification specifics to Health Department "Health E-Mail" Subscribers.
* Spray notification details with maps provided to Davidson A.M. Section of the Tennessean.
* Health Department staff drive through each neighborhood within the boundaries two hours leading up to spraying to inform those outside that spraying will occur.
* Each spray team is made up of a three vehicle caravan:
* The lead vehicle is in place to provide any last minute notification to drivers or anyone outside that the spray truck is in operation. (When necessary, the person in the lead vehicle will radio to alert the person in the spray vehicle to turn off the spray unit before exposure occurs.)
* The second vehicle in the caravan is the truck with the spray unit. Each spray truck is equipped with yellow flashing lights. It is important to know the spray unit sounds similar to a chainsaw and that the compressor continues to operate even when the spray has been turned off.
* The third vehicle in the caravan with street signage stays well behind the spray unit and alerts vehicles or children on bicycles that they are approaching the spray unit while in operation.

The Health Department regularly contacts other cities that spray and has found no other city that provides more notification than what is done in Nashville.

Health officials recommend taking the necessary spraying precautions:
* Do not allow children or pets to follow the Mosquito Control truck while spray unit is engaged.
* Make sure children and adults are indoors during the spray process.
* Make yourself as visible as possible if you are outside when the trucks are in your area.
* Make sure pets are indoors or out of the front yard during the spraying process.
* Do not allow children or pets to play in your front yard until at least 30 minutes after the spray has been administered.
* Close windows and doors in your home during the spraying process.

The Health Department's caravan approach is in place as an added precaution to keep from administering the spray where people or pets are present in the front of any property.

Residents who do not want their property sprayed should contact the Health Department at 340-5668 or go to the Department's website (healthweb.nashville.gov) and sign up to be placed on the no spray list.

Spraying and larviciding will not fully eliminate the presence of mosquitoes. The health department stresses taking the necessary measures to reduce mosquitoes in your neighborhood:

* 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).

The Metro Public Health Department has a mosquito control information hotline with a recorded message about mosquito control efforts in Davidson County - 340-5668. Information is also available on Metro Channel 3 for Davidson County residents with cable and the health department's web site at healthweb.nashville.gov.