This week, the Shelby County Health Department and Tennessee Department of Health confirmed the first human case of the West Nile Virus in Shelby County for 2021.
Spread by mosquitoes, this disease can become very serious leading to hospitalization and even death, but can also go undetected with no symptoms. Those over the age of 60 are most likely to develop complications. It is advised by the SCHD to use bug spray using DEET, wear protective clothing while outdoors, and avoid having standing water accumulate in your yard.
The zip codes where the virus has been detected in trapped mosquitoes include the following: 38017, 38111, 38116, 38128, 38108, 38122, 38103, 38109, 38106, 38117, 38002, 38016, 38126, 38134, 38107, 38127, 38114, 38118, 38112, 38053, 38104, 38018, 38133, 38138, 38115, 38028, 38141, 38125, 38119, 38105, 38120, 38139, 38135.
Next week, a portion of Lakeland is included in the mosquito control activities conducted by the SCHD, consisting of truck-mounted spraying of EPA-approved insecticides, weather permitting*. You can see the MAP HERE. You can see the spray schedule for other zip codes throughout the week by clicking HERE.
If you would like to be excluded from the spray, you can contact the Vector Control Program by email (Vector.Control@shelbycountytn.gov) or phone at 901-222-9715.
