Health officials in Nashville have detected West Nile virus in local mosquitoes for the first time this year, urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.
Health officials in Nashville are sounding the alarm as West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes for the first time this year. The Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) confirmed the virus was found in a mosquito pool collected near Cass Street in North Nashville. This marks the city’s earliest positive mosquito sample of the season and the first detection of the virus in 2026.
The recent detection follows a year of heightened West Nile virus activity in 2025, during which one human case of the virus was confirmed. Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of health at the Metro Public Health Department, emphasized the community’s role in combating mosquito populations. “We can all play a role in reducing the presence of mosquitoes in our community, making our outdoor areas both more pleasant and safer from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus,” he stated.
As part of their response, the MPHD is distributing educational flyers in the affected neighborhood and increasing mosquito trapping efforts. They are also monitoring standing water and applying larvicide where necessary to help control mosquito populations. However, the department has clarified that they do not use insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States. While most individuals infected with the virus do not exhibit symptoms, approximately one in five will experience fever, headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash. Serious neurological illnesses, which can affect the brain or spinal cord, occur in fewer than 1% of cases, with older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems at greater risk.
Public health officials routinely trap and test mosquitoes throughout the summer months to monitor for West Nile virus activity. A positive mosquito sample does not guarantee that residents will become infected, but it serves as an early warning that the virus is circulating in the area.
In addition to the educational outreach, residents can request a free backyard inspection from the department’s Pest Management team to identify potential mosquito breeding sites. Health officials recommend eliminating standing water in bird baths, flowerpots, buckets, old tires, children’s toys, and other outdoor containers where mosquitoes may lay eggs. Trimming overgrown vegetation around homes can also help reduce mosquito activity.
To further protect against mosquito bites, the health department advises using EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Residents are also encouraged to wear long sleeves and pants outdoors during peak mosquito hours, which are typically around dusk and dawn. Ensuring that window and door screens are in good repair can also help keep mosquitoes at bay.
By taking these precautions, residents can help mitigate the risk of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses in the community this summer, according to Fox News.