Nashville, Tenn., April 28, 2004 -- Actions taken by members of the community will help reduce the mosquito population and potential West Nile Virus threat this spring and summer, according to Metro Public Health Department officials.

“The Health Department receives thousands of mosquito control requests each mosquito season from members of the community who say they cannot enjoy outdoor activities because of biting mosquitoes,” said Brent Hager, the Metro Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Services Director. “We need help from every member of our community to take action to help control the mosquito population by reducing or eliminating mosquito breeding grounds now.”

The health department is not currently spraying to kill adult mosquitoes. Spraying will only occur once a threat of West Nile Virus has been identified in trapped mosquitoes. Mosquito trapping efforts will begin May 3. Trapped mosquitoes will be sent to the Tennessee Department of Health’s lab to be tested. The health department will also begin picking up freshly dead blue jays and crows for testing at the State lab May 3.

Last year in Davidson County mosquitoes first tested positive for carrying WNV in mid-August. The first human case to occur last year also was first identified in mid-August.

For more information about the Metro Public Health Department’s mosquito control program call 340-5668.

West Nile virus, among other diseases, are transmitted to humans and other animals by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds. The Metro Public Health Department is asking members of our community to take the following steps to reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding grounds:

The Health Department is taking an approach recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to control mosquitoes and protect the community from the threat of mosquito borne disease such as West Nile Virus. The approach is a combination of education, surveillance and control efforts, including:

The Metro Public Health Department continues education efforts, step one, about mosquito control and protection year round by reaching community members in a variety of ways, including information placed on Metro 3, on the Health Department’s Internet site, at community meetings, distribution of “Fight the Bite” fliers, and media stories.

Step two of the integrated approach started in February when the Health Department’s Pest Management Division began monitoring nearly 5,000 standing water areas looking for mosquito larvae. By early March, the Pest Management staff began applying larvacide to areas where mosquito larvae were present. Monitoring standing water and applying larvacide when larvae are present continues throughout mosquito season.

Step three of the mosquito control effort will begin May 3rd, when the Health Department begins collecting freshly dead blue jays and crows and trapping mosquitoes and sending them to the Tennessee Department of Health’s lab to be tested for West Nile Virus.

Mosquito trapping and testing will allow the Health Department to better confirm the presence and location of WNV. Adulticide spraying to control mosquitoes will not begin until there is an identified threat from mosquitoes.

The health department stresses taking the necessary measures to fully protect from mosquito bites, including:

The Metro Public Health Department has a WNV control information line with a recorded message about mosquito control efforts in Davidson County – 340-5668.

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