Knox County Health Department (KCHD) will be spraying for mosquitoes in seven areas on Thursday, Sept. 20, (tomorrow night) between the hours of 9 p.m. to midnight, if the temperature is above 55 degrees. One new surveillance site, in the Broadway area, has lab confirmation of the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes. The other six sites, listed below, are repeat sprayings as specified in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol.

Signs will be posted in the affected areas to alert residents, who are asked to stay inside during spraying and to keep pets inside or in the back yard. A follow-up notice will be sent for repeat spraying in the Broadway area. Nighttime temperatures lower than 55 degrees may interfere with spraying as seasonal fall weather arrives.

"We have already seen a reduction in the number of mosquitoes in our traps because of the lower nighttime temperatures," said Ronnie Nease, KCHD's Environmental Health director. "A good fall cold snap also will drastically slow down mosquito activity."

Broadway Area

Broadway area north of Grainger Ave. to Rider Ave. and streets adjoining to Broadway between Rider Ave. and Grainger Ave. See attached map for exact area to be sprayed.

AREAS FOR REPEAT SPRAYING:

East Knox County around Milligan Street

All areas east of North Cherry Street; north of Magnolia Avenue; west of North Beaman Street and South of I-40. Also included are Lakeside and Kirkwood Streets and American Avenue.

Island Home

Spence Place, Estelle Circle, Island Home Boulevard, Maplewood Drive, Hillsboro Heights, Fisher Place, Watson Place and Willis Place.

Vestal

Volena Place, Mayfield Avenue, Ogle Avenue, Martin Mill Pike from Maryville Pike to McNabb Avenue, Higgins Avenue, Keebler Avenue to Tomlinson Street, Tomlinson Street, W. Moody Avenue, Chappell Road, Flennwood Way, Barrar Avenue including Mary Vestal Park.

Fourth Avenue area

Cooper Street north of W 5th Avenue, W 5th Avenue from Cooper Street to Boyd Street, W 4th Avenue, Elm Street, Marion Street, Dameron Avenue, Hatton Avenue, Burgess Avenue, Baxter Avenue from Body Street to Wray Street, Lee Street and Bernard Avenue.

Gulf Park Community

These streets: Dutchtown Road west-starting at Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) to Blessed Way including Manis Lane, Dutchtown Harbor, Dutchtown Villas and CAK; includes Embarcadaro Drive, Cortez Drive, Tallahassee Drive, Ethan's Glen subdivision and Sanders Road north from Dutchtown Road to Venice Road; Venice Road from Sanders road-east including Tampa Road and Suwannee Road; Gulf Park Drive, Pensacola Road, Sarasota Drive, Galveston Road, Mobile Drive; Briarwood Blvd. west of Chateaugay Road including Briarwood Drive and Laurel Hill Road.

Heron's Point/Choto area

Amber Woods, Bayview West, Choto Farms, Heron's Point, Livery, Mallard Bay, Tanglewood, Walnut Grove, and the Woods at Montgomery Cove. Subdivisions NOT included are: Bailey Park, Choto Fields, Greystone Court, and Montgomery Cove.

There are 21 species of mosquitoes present in Knox County. The Culex species of mosquito is the main carrier of WNV. It hides in shady areas during the day but comes out at dawn and dusk for a blood meal in order to reproduce. The striped Asian Tiger mosquito that is so aggressive is not known to carry West Nile Virus. The public is reminded to stay vigilant about reducing standing water on their properties, which is where mosquitoes breed.

West Nile Virus encephalitis is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause brain inflammation. Symptoms may include: fever, headache, and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infections may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor, disorientation, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and rarely, death. People over age 50 and those with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable to developing the disease. WNV is not spread by birds and can't be transmitted from person to person.

To address the public health concerns caused by mosquitoes, KCHD conducts a mosquito control program during the summer months. As the weather begins to warm each spring, public health professionals begin trapping mosquitoes around the county, testing batches weekly for West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne disease which can infect humans, horses and birds. WNV affected areas are sprayed with an approved mist when needed to reduce the mosquito population. From March until the first frost, larvicides also are used in areas with standing water to prevent mosquito proliferation. Birds such as blue jays, crows and robins also are monitored for signs of WNV.

TIPS FOR CONTROLLING MOSQUITOES

Eliminating breeding areas is an important factor in controlling the mosquito population. KCHD urges the public to reduce breeding sites around their homes by following these tips:

Dispose of, regularly empty, or turn over any water holding containers on your property such as tires, cans, flowerpots, or trashcans. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Make sure roof gutters drain properly and water doesn't stand in them. Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. Keep swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs clean and properly chlorinated; Remove standing water from pool covers.

TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESS

It also is important for residents to take necessary precautions against West Nile Virus during outside activity, either by proper clothing or insect repellant. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to keep mosquitoes from biting you. During mosquito season (generally April through October), take the following precautions:

Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, if possible, since this is the time of greatest mosquito activity. If you are outside when mosquitoes are prevalent, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks. 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, or contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) through their toll-free number at 1-800-858-7378 or npic.orst.edu.

More information on the mosquito control program and the treatment schedule are available by calling 215-5200 or online at http://knoxcounty.org/health/vector_mosquito_control.php. KCHD also provides the West Nile Virus Fact Sheet and the Public Health Fact Sheet discussing insect bites and repellents. All informational materials may be reproduced and distributed as needed. A Mosquito Control technician is available to discuss mosquito control at community groups or neighborhood association meetings.

With an organizational vision of "Every Person a Healthy Person," Knox County Health Department is committed to promoting public health policies and practices to safeguard and improve quality of life for all residents. KCHD is responsible for disease surveillance, prevention and control, emergency preparedness, air quality management, ensuring food safety in public places, providing nutritional programs, family planning, immunizations and much more. More information can be found by visiting www.knoxcounty.org/health.