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Health officials in Nashville are urging residents to guard themselves from mosquito bites after West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes for the primary time this yr.
The Metro Public Well being Division (MPHD) introduced the virus was present in a mosquito pool collected close to Cass Road in North Nashville, marking the town’s first detection of West Nile virus in 2026 and the earliest constructive mosquito pattern of the season.
The detection comes after well being officers reported elevated West Nile virus exercise in mosquito swimming pools throughout 2025, when one human case of the virus was confirmed.
“We will all play a job in decreasing the presence of mosquitoes in our neighborhood, making our outside areas each extra nice and safer from mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus,” Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of well being on the Metro Public Well being Division, mentioned in a press release to Fox 17.
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A detailed-up reveals mosquitoes feeding in Tehatta, India, on Might 1, 2026. Well being officers in Nashville just lately detected West Nile virus in a mosquito pool, prompting residents to take precautions towards mosquito bites. (Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures)
“As our workforce educates these within the space the place West Nile virus was discovered, we hope the remainder of our neighborhood does what they will to guard themselves and their households from mosquitoes this summer season.”
In accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, West Nile virus is the main mosquito-borne illness in america. Most individuals contaminated with the virus don’t develop signs, however about one in 5 expertise fever, complications, physique aches, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Fewer than 1% develop a severe neurological sickness that may have an effect on the mind or spinal wire, with older adults and folks with weakened immune techniques dealing with the best danger.
Public well being officers routinely entice and take a look at mosquitoes all through the summer season to watch for West Nile virus exercise. A constructive mosquito pattern doesn’t essentially imply folks within the space will turn into contaminated, however it serves as an early warning that the virus is circulating regionally.
In response to the constructive take a look at, MPHD mentioned crews are distributing academic flyers within the affected neighborhood, growing mosquito trapping, monitoring standing water and making use of larvicide the place wanted to assist scale back mosquito populations. The division mentioned it doesn’t spray insecticide to kill grownup mosquitoes.
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The Aedes mosquito is a recognized vector for a number of viruses, together with West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and Zika virus. (Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto by way of Getty Pictures)
Residents may request a free yard inspection from the division’s Pest Administration workforce to determine areas the place mosquitoes could also be breeding.
Health officials recommend eliminating standing water from chicken baths, flowerpots, buckets, outdated tires, youngsters’s toys and different outside containers the place mosquitoes lay eggs. Trimming overgrown vegetation round properties may assist scale back mosquito exercise.
A discipline pattern of mosquitoes that might carry West Nile Virus is seen at workplaces of the Riverside County Division of Environmental Well being on April 26, 2007, in Hemet, California. (David McNew/Getty Pictures)
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To assist forestall mosquito bites, the well being division recommends utilizing EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, carrying lengthy sleeves and pants outside throughout peak mosquito hours round nightfall and daybreak, and ensuring window and door screens are in good restore.
Officers mentioned decreasing mosquito breeding round properties may help decrease the danger of West Nile virus and different mosquito-borne illnesses all through the neighborhood.
