In 2004, the MPHD found mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in five locations in Nashville. Two of the five locations were never sprayed during the four weeks the MPHD claimed to be doing "West Nile spraying." However, the they chose to spray other areas of Davidson county, in the name of protecting the public from West Nile virus, with full knowledge of the existence of those positive mosquito pools.

In addition, if one were to use the EPA's information (see this EPA pdf file on page 1, bottom right corner) stating that mosquitoes that most often carry WNV travel 1/4 to 1 mile from their breeding sites. the remaining 3 positive mosquito pools were not fully treated. They failed to treat these sites even if one uses the minimum 1/4 mile radius.

If this had been a REAL public health emergency, our Health Department would have totally failed our community and people could have died. There were no human cases of WNV anywhere near Middle Tennessee regardless of whether the communities were spraying or not. This is because the risk of WNV in was extremely low and spraying does not lower the rate of West Nile virus. We weren't even close to experiencing a public health emergency.

Unfortunately, the Health Department's "West Nile virus spraying campaign" injured three people in East Nashville in 2004 and a number people called in complaining of symptoms. The Health Department chose to risk the public's health by spraying toxins when less toxic measures would have been sufficient.

There were also discrepancies in the 2003 spraying and locations of positive mosquito pools. Dr. Brent Hager has not released the dates tests have come from the state for 2003. He said the average turn around time is 12 to 14 days. There are two locations with a positive tests near the airport (Seven Oaks Park) and on Woodycrest Avenue that were not treated even SEVEN TO NINE WEEKS after they should have known about the positive result. There were also many areas that were not treated 1/4 to 1 mile from the location of the positive mosquito pools.

Meanwhile, the Health Department sprayed other locations and, allegedly, permanently injured a Donelson man causing him to lose 50% of his lung capacity. (He has filed a lawsuit against the city and the company that makes the pesticide.) There were also many reports of: people suffering adverse effects after their neighborhoods were sprayed and people on the streets (in plain view of the drivers) being sprayed by the trucks in 2003. In contrast, there was one human case of West Nile virus in Davidson county in 2003. All the while, effective mosquito management could have been done without spraying.

Dr. Bailey (the Director of Health) and Dr. Hager of the Metro Public Health Department examined our map of 2004 (made with their information) in January of 2005. We, then, requested more information regarding the test results from 2003. After much delay, it was announced by Dr. Hager that some of the records from 2003 showing when the test results were returned from the state to the Health Department were never recorded. He still states 12-14 days is an average.

Mosquitoes can and have been effectively controlled with less toxic measures. Columbus, OH, Fort Worth, TX, Washington, D.C. and 8 counties in Metro Atlanta don't spray. Instead they put a strong emphasis on source reduction, larvicide and public education. They have no higher rates of West Nile virus than cities that spray.

We ask that officials come up with protocol and policies to protect the public from mosquito-borne illness without using toxins unless there IS a REAL emergency.