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Memphis, TN. - The Tennessee Department of Health Laboratory in Nashville has identified mosquito specimens from Shelby County that tested positive for the West Nile Virus. The specimen pool of mosquitoes was collected on July 19th, 20th and 22nd in the 38018, 38104, 38115, 38117, 38127, 38135, and 38141 zip codes of Shelby County. These positive pools indicate that West Nile Virus is present in the County.
The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department's Vector Control Program is aggressively working to control mosquitoes throughout the County and especially in the area where the positive mosquito pools were found. Vector control crews will spray Tuesday evening, July 27, 2010 between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., weather permitting, to kill adult mosquitoes (adulticiding) in portions of the following zip codes:
| 38103 |
38104 |
38105 |
38106 |
38109 |
38111 |
| 38114 |
38116 |
38126 |
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Crews will spray Wednesday evening, July 28, 2010 between the hours of 8:30 pm and 11:30 p.m., weather permitting, in portions of the following zip codes:
| 38016 |
38018 |
38106 |
38111 |
38114 |
38116 |
| 38118 |
38132 |
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Crews will spray Thursday evening, July 29, 2010, between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., weather permitting, in portions of the following zip codes:
| 38103 |
38104 |
38105 |
38107 |
38108 |
38111 |
| 38112 |
38122 |
38127 |
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Crews will also spray Monday evening, August 2, 2010, between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., weather permitting, in portions of the following zip codes:
| 38002 |
38128 |
38133 |
38134 |
38135 |
Individuals with chronic health problems such as asthma or other lung conditions may want to remain indoors during the time of spraying, if they live in one of the spray areas. Residents may request that their property not be sprayed by calling Vector Control at (901) 324-5547, Monday - Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Vector Control Program cannot effectively do truck spraying under certain weather conditions, including rain, windy conditions, and temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Scheduled spraying sometimes has to be delayed due to inclement weather conditions.
Memphis and Shelby County residents are valuable partners in efforts to control the mosquito population. Eliminating breeding sites around homes and businesses can significantly reduce the spread of mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus and other diseases. The Health Department encourages residents to:
- Clean rain gutters and downspouts
- Repair failed septic systems
- Make sure all your windows and doors have screens and are in good repair
- Repair leaky outside faucets
- Discard old tires or store inside where rain water cannot collect inside of tires
- Empty flower pots (including the "drip plates" underneath them), tin cans, buckets, children's toys - any container that might collect water especially after rainfall
- Store wheelbarrows, canoes, and boats upside down
- Empty, clean and refill birdbaths and small wading pools weekly
- Secure swimming pool covers tightly, and remove any standing water after rainfall
- Stock ornamental ponds with fish (Gambusia) that eat mosquito larvae (Gambusia fish are available FREE from Health Department)
For more information about mosquito related issues, contact the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department's Vector Control Program at (901) 324-5547 during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check out our website at www.shelbycountytn.gov for more information on West Nile Virus, St. Louis encephalitis or how to prevent mosquito breeding around your home or business.
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