The latest lab report has confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes in three areas of Knox County.

Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) will spray for mosquitoes in the affected areas to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of WNV spreading to humans.

The Tower Drive area of North Knoxville and the Fourth Avenue area near downtown Knoxville will be sprayed Wednesday, Sept. 30; the Halls area will be treated Thursday, Oct. 1.

Spraying will occur between 9 p.m. and midnight, weather permitting, on both nights. 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.  

KCHD continues to advise all residents to:
• Wear appropriate clothing and repellant when outside and mosquitoes are present;
• Dispose of, regularly empty or turn over any containers holding water on your property;
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and water doesn’t pool in them;
• Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week; and
• Use a mosquito repellant that contains DEET (the chemical N-N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) and follow the directions on the label. Pregnant women and those who are concerned about using repellent products on children should consult their health care provider for advice.

Tower Drive Spray Area:
Aurora Lane; Charlene Lane; Woodale Drive; Old Central Avenue Pike; Steeple Chase Apartment complex; Pratt Road; Tower Drive; Lawerence Road; Caron Drive; Sierra Road; Chesswood Drive; Woodleaf Drive; Sanford Road; Lutie Road; Oakcrest Road; Tillman Road; Rowan Road south to Henrietta Drive; Henrietta Drive east to Willowway Drive; Delapp Drive; and Griffins Gate Lane will be treated Wednesday, Sept. 30. Follow-up spraying for this area will be conducted Wednesday, Oct. 14, 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 Wednesday, Sept. 30. Follow-up mosquito spraying is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, weather permitting. 

Halls Spray Area:
Old Maynardville Pike; Homestead Drive; Hallbrook Road; Zirkle Drive; Arlie Drive; Country Meadow Drive; Marshall Drive; as well as Halls High School and Beaver Dam Baptist Church will be treated Thursday, Oct. 1. Follow-up spraying is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, weather permitting. 

As previously announced, the Milligan Street area in East Knoxville is scheduled for follow-up spraying on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 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. More information on the WNV control program and prevention tips are available by calling 865-215-5200 or visiting www.knoxcounty.org/health and clicking on the Environmental Health section.