5 days ago
West Nile Virus detected in Davidson County for the first time in 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Public Health Department's Pest Management Team has reported the presence of West Nile Virus in Davidson County.
The team said that the virus was detected in a mosquito pool; the trap for the pool had been established off Neelys Bend Road in Nashville's Madison neighborhood. This is the first detection of West Nile Virus this year with no human cases reported so far in 2025.
The Metro Public Health Department said that last year, there was a high level of virus detected in area mosquito pools. The department first started monitoring the mosquito traps for the 2024 season at the end of April.
AUGUST 2024 | Davidson County health officials monitor mosquitoes for West Nile virus
In all, the Pest Management team captured and tested more than 39,000 mosquitos across 32 Davidson County sample sites. By mid-October, the virus had been detected at every sampling site in the county.
'Keeping our community safe and healthy means monitoring mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and informing those who might be at risk,' Dr. Sanmi Areola, Metro Public Health Department's Director of Health said. 'Education is a big part of our work, ensuring that we know that we all have a roles to play in reducing breeding of mosquitoes and preventing bites so that those who are at risk know what they can do to protect themselves and their families.'
The Pest Management Team revisits impacted sites and sets additional traps, monitoring standing water and applying larvicide when they see mosquito larvae. However, the department does not spray to kill adult mosquitos.
The health department sends fliers to residences in impacted areas with steps to protect against mosquito bites and reduce standing water, which is where mosquitos can lay eggs.
There are some other steps you can take, including:
Limit time outdoors at dusk and nighttime, when mosquitos are most active.
Wear a mosquito repellant approved for use by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including products that contain Picardin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and DEET. The Environmental Protection Agency has a tool that helps you find the right repellant for you; you can find that tool here.
Wear shoes, socks, long-sleeve shirts and pants when mosquitos are the most prevalent. Additionally, any clothing you wear should be lightly colored and made of tightly-woven material to keep mosquitos away from the skin. Any pant legs should be tucked into shoes or socks and collars should be buttoned.
Make sure any windows and doors have screens that are in good repair.
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The department encourages you to check things like bird baths, tires or other backyard toys and trim overgrown vegetation to discourage breeding.
If you would like a free backyard inspection, you can call the Metro Public Health Department's Pest Management Team at 615-340-5660 to learn about places on your property where mosquitos could easily breed and multiply.
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