MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The nuisance in the air with the bad rap of biting and spreading the West Nile virus hasn’t caused much uproar this season
“Last year we had one as well coming down from 2002 when we had over 40 cases. Average that out it’s about eight a year last year. This year we have one case,” said Tyler Zerwekh with Shelby County Health Department.
The season typically hits its peak in the summer and even with Thursday’s case Shelby County officials said we’re still doing well.
“We were actually kind of fortunate this year, that our first case is this late in the mosquito season. Typically we see our first case about six weeks ago,” said Zerwekh.
The Health Department said there is no reason for alarm, but people should be aware when it comes to protecting themselves when it comes to West Nile.
“Given the amount of rainfall we’ve had this season it goes back to the activity vector control. Do they remove standing water?” said Zerwekh.
Zerwekh is referring to Vector, a program designed to aggressively fight against mosquitoes and the disposal of standing water that could breed them.
Since the program’s inception in 2005, the county said they’ve seen a major difference case wise.
From 2005 on its almost a direct line down in cases.
Vector Control is funded through an additional 75 cent charge to all MLGW account holders’ bills and, in the eyes of the county, it’s money well spent in keeping the night pest from striking and spreading West Nile.