The Shelby County Health Department is doubling down on its fight against the potentially deadly West Nile Virus, gearing up for a series of mosquito control activities slated for the week of August 11, according to a release on the department's website. Residents might notice the hum of truck-mounted sprayers traversing the streets as part of the Health Department's comprehensive program to keep the mosquito population, and the diseases they carry, in check—a necessary intervention in the warmer months when these pests are most active.
These trucks will be dispersing EPA-approved insecticides across various ZIP codes in Shelby County—38002 will see action on Monday, August 11, from 8:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m., while 38119 and 38125 are on Tuesday's early morning itinerary from 3:45 a.m. to 6:45 a.m., and this pattern continues throughout the week with a detailed schedule available on the Health Department's website. It's important to note that these sprays are temperature-sensitive: they won't be deployed if the temps dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, wind speeds surpass 11 mph, or if rain chances exceed 65%, conditions which render the insecticides less effective.
Despite the benefits for public health, there are valid concerns among citizens—specifically for individuals with chronic health problems like asthma or other lung conditions, for whom the advice is clear: stay indoors during spray times. Those who wish to exempt their residences from this program can reach out directly to the Vector Control Program.
Not to leave pet owners in the dark, the Shelby County Health Department is also reminding those with furry friends to take precautions, because it's essential to ensure that outdoor feeding bowls and water dishes are not inadvertently contaminated during the sprays, contact with insecticides can be harmful to animals too, they've communicated steps pet owners can take to protect their animals during the mosquito blitz which includes details such as covering or bringing in dishes during the spraying activities.
To stay informed on the latest, residents can follow @ShelbyTNHealth on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; the department promises up-to-date notifications on any weather-induced changes to the spraying schedule.
