A public health advisory has been issued by Mayor Errick D. Simmons after the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in two mosquito pools in Greenville. The positive samples, labeled as Event 02GV25 and 03GV25, were collected from areas on Goldfinch Drive (Zone 6) and Casavechia Street (Zone 9). The detection was reported by Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), the city’s mosquito and vector disease management partner.
Mayor Simmons emphasized the city’s commitment to residents’ health and safety, stating, “We are taking aggressive, science-driven steps to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus transmission and will continue to monitor and act swiftly.”
In response, Greenville has activated its Expanded Transmission Protocol, implementing various vector control strategies:
- Inspection and Treatment: City crews are actively inspecting Zones 6 and 9 to identify and treat mosquito breeding sites, focusing on species known to carry WNV, such as Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex nigripalpus.
- Larval Control: Breeding grounds are receiving larvicide treatments that are both effective and environmentally safe.
- Adult Mosquito Monitoring: Gravid traps have been deployed for monitoring adult mosquito activity and collecting further samples for laboratory testing.
- Evening Spraying Operations: Truck-mounted sprayers are in use to reduce the adult mosquito population to below transmission-critical levels. The first spray was completed on July 10, with additional sprays scheduled for July 11 and 12, weather permitting.
- Post-Treatment Monitoring: Additional traps will be utilized to evaluate the spraying’s effectiveness, with enhanced mosquito control measures in place until populations decrease below the established threshold.
Mayor Simmons is advising residents, particularly those in the affected zones, to take personal safety precautions by removing standing water around their homes and using EPA-approved insect repellents when outdoors. Residents are encouraged to stay informed via the City of Greenville’s official communication channels.
For additional information or to report mosquito-related concerns, residents can contact the Vector Disease Control Division at 662-332-7557 or visit the Mississippi State Department of Health website.
