West Nile Virus: Mosquitoes In Madison, Antioch Test Positive

NASHVILLE, TN — Two batches of mosquitoes in Madison and Antioch tested positive for West Nile virus, the Metro Health Department reported Thursday. This is the first time this year mosquitoes have tested positive for the disease in Nashville.

In Antioch, the mosquitoes were captured near the intersection of Murfreesboro Road and Edge O Lake Drive and in Madison at Alta Loma Drive and Gallatin Road. No human cases have been reported. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

The Health Department’s Pest Management staff visited both neighborhoods Thursday to distribute protection and prevention materials and to monitor areas of standing water to check for larvae.

The Health Department began county-wide mosquito trapping mosquitoes the first week in May, which they then send to the state for testing. While the health department applies granular larvicide to kill mosquito larvae, there are no plans to spray, which kills adult mosquitoes.

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 began monitoring standing water in all areas of Nashville in late February. Staff applies larvicide when mosquito larvae are present to kill the larvae before they become adult mosquitoes.

Davidson County residents that are having mosquito problems can call 615-340-5660 to arrange to have a Pest Management staff member come and inspect your property and provide mosquito control and prevention advise. Pest Management staff will check your property for standing water and apply the larvicide if mosquito larvae are present.

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