It wouldn’t be summer in Tennessee without a swarm of mosquitoes and a good West Nile outbreak. Today, the first batch of mosquitoes testing positive for the virus showed up in East Nashville near the intersection of Rosebank Ave. and Colbert Dr. Though it hasn’t affected any humans and the city doesn’t plan on spraying yet, the Health Department is keeping an eye on it. A few tips from Metro:
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 against mosquito bites, including:
- 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, trash cans, and wheelbarrows, as well as cutting back overgrown vegetation (mosquito hiding areas).
For more information about West Nile virus and mosquito precautions visit the Metro Public Health Department’s website at www.health.nashville.gov or call 340-5660.
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