South Knox Co. to be sprayed after West Nile virus found

August 24, 2016 at 10:08 p.m. | Updated August 24, 2016 at 10:08 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - This June 12, 2012 file photo shows Mosquitos in early stages of life: wriggling larvae (top), dark-colored, pupae (cocoon), at center and lower right, cluster around vegetation, and a dead mosquito, left, in swimming pool water of a foreclosed home in central Fresno, Calif. California saw a record number of deaths from West Nile virus last year, and health officials say the state’s drought may have contributed to the spike. (AP Photo/The Fresno Bee, John Walker,File)
FILE - This June 12, 2012 file photo shows Mosquitos in early stages of life: wriggling larvae (top), dark-colored, pupae (cocoon), at center and lower right, cluster around vegetation, and a dead mosquito, left, in swimming pool water of a foreclosed home in central Fresno, Calif. California saw a record number of deaths from West Nile virus last year, and health officials say the state’s drought may have contributed to the spike. (AP Photo/The Fresno Bee, John Walker,File)

Knox County will spray part of South Knox County Thursday night after Culex mosquitoes there tested positive for West Nile virus.

As part of its vector control program, the health department will spray 9 p.m.-midnight, weather permitting, and will post signs in affected neighborhoods. Residents are asked to stay inside and keep pets inside or in back yards. Follow-up spraying is scheduled for Sept. 6.

The area to be sprayed includes Henry Haynes Road from Chapman Highway to Babs Road; Babs Road; West Marine Road from Chapman Highway to Babs Road; Bush Lane; Tipton Station Road from Chapman Highway to Jonesboro Drive; White Creek Drive; Cold Stream Lane; Sweet Water Lane; West Hendron Chapel; Love Lane; Kimberlin Heights Road from Chapman Highway to Arthur Harmon Road; Pennyroyal Drive; Twinleaf Lane; Crossfield Drive; Sagefield Drive; Cloverfield Lane; Basilfield Drive; Dillfield Drive; Arthur Harmon Road from Governor John Sevier to Kimberlin Heights Road; Konda Drive; Karla Drive; Bridgette Circle; Michaels Lane; and Mountain Grove Drive.

"It's that time of year when we typically see positive West Nile virus mosquito pools," said Vector Control Supervisor Andrea Woodard. "It's important for the public to stay vigilant in their personal fight the bite efforts, including wearing repellent when outdoors and removing mosquito breeding grounds from their properties" by dumping out standing water from flowerpots, trash cans, old tires, swimming pool covers and other outdoor containers where water can gather.

The public can prevent breeding in large water-holding devices, including bird baths or garden pools, with larvicides such as mosquito torpedoes or mosquito dunks. If used properly, larvicides will not harm animals, Woodard said.

Knox County follows the CDC protocol, which is to spray for Culex mosquitoes only after finding West Nile virus present. It will do follow-up spraying around Fourth Avenue in North Knoxville on Sept. 6 also, after having first sprayed Aug. 23.

The Culex mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are different from the Aedes mosquitoes that carry Zika and other diseases. So far, Knox County has had no mosquito-transmitted Zika cases; all have been related to overseas travel in areas where Zika is prevalent.

Learn more about how the health department monitors and controls the mosquito population by calling 865-215-5093 or visiting http://www.knoxcounty.org/health/mosquitoes.php.

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