West Nile Virus Confirmed in Two Shelby County Postal Codes



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SHELBY COUNTY, Tennessee – The Shelby County Department of Health has confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in two local postcodes.

According to the agency, the mosquitoes were found in area codes 38115 and 38118, which encouraged them to intensify their efforts to control mosquito breeding in these areas. Until now, teams have sprayed these sites and even set up traps to catch and kill adult mosquitoes.

But they still need your help. They asked all residents to take the following precautions around their homes:

  • Clean gutters and downpipes
  • Discard old tires or store inside areas where rainwater can not accumulate inside the tires
  • Discard cans, buckets – any container that can collect water
  • Empty and fill bowls of water with pets at least every few days.
  • Empty, clean and fill bird baths, drip trays under flower pots and small wading pools weekly.

Until now, no human case of West Nile virus has been confirmed.

Here are some ways to protect yourself:

  • Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts when working or playing outdoors, especially in the evening and at night
  • Wear anti-mosquito products containing DEET. Follow the instructions on the label
  • Install or repair windows and mosquito nets.

Last year, four people contracted the virus in Shelby County and three of them died.


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