The latest lab report has confirmed the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in Culex mosquitoes in three areas of Knox County: Fourth Avenue, Fairmont Boulevard and Milligan Street. Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol, the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) will spray for mosquitoes in these areas to reduce the Culex mosquito population and the risk of WNV spreading to humans. Since these areas tested positive for WNV previously, additional follow-up treatments are planned per the schedule below. Signs will be posted in the affected neighborhoods to alert residents, who are asked to stay inside during spraying and keep pets inside or in the backyard. The spray areas are detailed below, maps are also included.

To prevent mosquito bites and reduce mosquito habitats, officials recommend the following:

• Apply repellants to skin often; these can include lotions, liquids or sprays. The CDC recommends the use of repellants that contain DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane 3, 8-diol, and IR3535. The duration of protection varies by repellant; read labels on products to determine when reapplications are necessary for optimal protection.
• Wear long, loose and light-colored shirts and pants and wear socks.
• Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase pretreated permethrin clothing.
• Dispose of, regularly empty, or turn over any water holding containers on your property such as tires, cans, flower pots, children’s toys or trash cans.
• To prevent breeding in large water-holding devices, including bird baths or garden pools, use larvicides such as mosquito torpedoes or mosquito dunks. If used properly, larvicides will not harm animals.
• More tips can be found at: knoxcounty.org/health/mosquitomonday

Thursday, Sept. 29 between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting:

Fairmont Boulevard Spray Area

This area was previously scheduled for follow-up spraying on Sept. 29 and includes Mineral Springs Avenue from Walker Boulevard to Whittle Springs Road; Walker Boulevard from Mineral Springs Avenue to Powers Street; Montclair Avenue; Underwood Place; White Oak Lane; Valley View Drive from Whittle Springs Road to White Oak Lane; McCampbell Avenue; Upland Avenue; Tecoma Drive; Arbor Place; Maxwell Street; Emoriland Boulevard east of Kuhlman Street; Fairmont Boulevard from Kuhlman Street to Maxwell Street; Avondale from Whittle Springs to Maxwell Street; Boright Place; Boright Drive from Whittle Springs Road to Maxwell Street; McNutt Street; Brunswick Street; Whitney Place; Forestdale Avenue from Whittle Springs Road to Maxwell Street; Edgewood Avenue from Barton Street to Maxwell Street; Barton Street from Edgewood to Fairmont; Albert Avenue from Barton Street to Fairview Street; Nickerson Avenue from Barton Street to Bellevue Street; Fairview Street from Nickerson Avenue to Edgewood Avenue; Clearview Street; Orlando Street; Bellevue Street; Derieux Drive; Seymour Avenue; Sandra Avenue; Shaw Drive; Fontana Street; Fairwood Avenue; Powers Street; and Miami Street. Given the new positive lab report, this area is scheduled for an additional follow-up spraying on Thursday, Oct. 13, between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting.

Fourth Avenue Spray Area

Cooper Street north of West Fifth Avenue; West Fifth Avenue from Cooper Street to Boyd Street; West Fourth Avenue; Elm Street; Marion Street; Dameron Avenue; Hatton Avenue; Burgess Avenue; Baxter Avenue from Elm Street to Wray Street; Lee Street; and Bernard Avenue will be treated Thursday, Sept. 29. This area is scheduled follow-up spraying on Thursday, Oct. 13, between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting:

Milligan Street Spray Area

This area was previously scheduled for spraying on Oct. 4 and includes Summit Avenue; Turner Street; Mundy Street; Nichols Avenue; North Harrison Street; Washington Avenue east of Cherry Street; Jefferson Avenue east of Cherry Street; Woodbine Avenue east of Cherry Street; East Fifth Avenue east of Cherry Street; Milligan Street north of East Magnolia Avenue; North Hembree Street north of East Magnolia Avenue; North Elmwood Street; North Castle Street north of Cherry Street; North Mary Street north of Magnolia Avenue; North Beaman Street north of Magnolia Avenue; Manor Drive; Crawford Avenue; Lakeside Street north of  East Magnolia Avenue; Hampton Avenue; Kirkwood Street north of East Magnolia Avenue; American Avenue; and Knoxville Zoo Drive. Given the new positive lab report, this area is scheduled for an additional follow-up spraying on Tuesday, Oct. 18, between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting.

To address the public health concerns caused by mosquitoes, KCHD conducts a West Nile virus control program during the summer and fall months. As the weather warms each spring, public health professionals begin a weekly process of trapping and testing mosquitoes for WNV, a mosquito-borne disease which can infect humans, horses and birds. From March until the first frost, KCHD also uses larvicides in areas with standing water to prevent mosquito proliferation. These efforts are in addition to KCHD’s work this summer to assess, monitor and control for Zika virus disease. More information is available by calling 865-215-5093 or visiting www.knoxcounty.org/health.