West Nile Found in Nashville Mosquitoes

A group of mosquitoes in Davidson County have tested positive for the West Nile virus.

The Metro Health Department confirmed today that the incident is the first reported case this year.

Mosquitoes carrying the virus lay eggs in stagnant water.

Although the recent mid-State drought has lowered the threat of large nests, Joe Conlon of the American Mosquito Control Association says that dry weather does not eliminate risk.

“Even where there are droughts, you’re going to get some severe biting and breeding around the places that do have water, and we still get transmission in those cases. I’ve seen mosquitoes breeding in discarded coke bottle caps, so they can breed in incredibly small parts of water.”

While the Health Department has not begun spraying areas for mosquito prevention, it advises residents to take precautions, such as using mosquito repellant.

Two weeks ago Metro Council passed a law requiring the Health Department to notify residents before spraying insecticides. Residents may opt out of the sprayings by contacting the Health Department.

But that changes if an outbreak of a mosquito-borne disease occurs. In that case, the Department is not legally obligated to honor the no-spray list.

No people have been infected this year.

WEB EXTRA:

More information about the “no spray” list:

From the Metro Health Department’s Website:

“Individuals who want to be on the no-spray list can contact the Health Department at 340-5668. You can also put your name and property address on the no-spray list by accessing the Health Department’s web site http://healthweb.nashville.gov [outside link]. Annual updates are required of requests for exclusion from spraying.”