Widespread West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes around Nashville
The Metro Public Health Department detected widespread West Nile Virus in mosquitoes around Nashville.
The department tested mosquitoes caught across 40 surveillance sites across Nashville with 30 sites returning at least one positive with West Nile Virus since it began in May.
No human cases have been reported.
More: Mosquitoes caught in Southeast Nashville test positive for West Nile Virus, no human cases reported
The health department sends fliers to residences in impacted areas with steps to protect against biting mosquitoes.
How to protect against mosquitoes
Limiting time outdoors at dusk and nighttime hours when mosquitoes are most active.
Wearing a mosquito repellent approved for use by the Center for Disease for Control, including products that contain DEET, Picaridin and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
Wearing shoes, socks, long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors during dusk to dawn. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly women materials to keep mosquitoes away from skin. Tuck pant legs into socks or shoes and button all collars.
Make sure windows and door screens are in good repair.
How to reduce mosquito breeding
Reducing or eliminating all standing water in your yard – especially in children’s toys, bird baths, clogged gutters, tires, flowerpots, trashcans, and wheelbarrows.
Aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae.
Applying mosquito dunks, larvicide, in standing water areas on your property.
Cutting back overgrown vegetation, where mosquitos can easily hide.
Call 615-340-5660 for additional information.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville reports widespread West Nile Virus in mosquitoes
