State Urges Louisiana Caregivers to Take Special Precautions to Protect Loved Ones from West Nile Virus

Cases total 128 this year; one death reported in Region 3

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014  |  Contact: Olivia Watkins; (225) 342-7913, olivia.w@la.gov

Baton Rouge, La.-The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is asking caregivers in Louisiana to take extra precautions to protect their loved ones from contracting West Nile virus. Individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to be impacted more severely by this virus that has impacted at least 128 individuals so far this year. This week, the Department is reporting one (1) death, and five new cases, three of which caused neuroinvasive disease. 

DHH issues a weekly Arbovirus Surveillance Report that details cases detected thus far by parish. This week's new infections include three neuroinvasive disease cases in Franklin (1), Lafourche (1), and St. Charles (1) parishes. There were two (2) new cases of West Nile fever; these cases were both in East Baton Rouge Parish and no new asymptomatic cases. The death reported this week occurred in DHH Region 3, which includes Assumption, St. James, St. John, St. Charles, Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary parishes. This week's cases can be found in the weekly West Nile virus Surveillance report by clicking here. 

"News coverage has been dominated by concern for Eboa, but it is so important to remember that West Nile virus is a very present threat in Louisiana, especially for our loved ones who may have weak immune systems because of an existing medical condition or because of age," said DHH State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard. "Even a short time outside, particularly during dusk or dawn, may pose a risk of infection. It only takes one mosquito bite from an infected mosquito to cause serious medical complications for an individual. It can't be repeated enough that long sleeves and pants, plus mosquito repellent are the best ways to fight the bite."

Humans contract West Nile when they are bitten by mosquitoes infected with the virus. When people are infected with West Nile, the virus will affect them one of three ways. West Nile neuroinvasive disease is the most serious type, infecting the brain and spinal cord. Neuroinvasive disease can lead to death, paralysis and brain damage. The milder viral infection is West Nile fever, in which people experience flu-like symptoms. The majority of people who contract West Nile will be asymptomatic, which means they show no symptoms. These cases are typically detected through blood donations or in the course of other routine medical tests.

About 90 percent of all cases are asymptomatic, while about 10 percent will develop West Nile fever. Only a very small number of infected individuals will show the serious symptoms associated with the neuroinvasive disease. Residents who are 65 years old and older are at higher risk for complications, but everyone is at risk for infection.

Last year, Louisiana saw 34 cases of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in the state, which was down from 2002's high of 204 cases of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease. DHH has been tracking West Nile Virus for more than a decade, and statistics about its occurrence in Louisiana can be found online at www.dhh.louisiana.gov/fightthebite.

SAFETY TIPS

Protecting Yourself

• If you will be outside, you should wear a mosquito repellent containing DEET. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that repellents should contain no more than 30 percent DEET when used on children. Insect repellents also are not recommended for children younger than 2 months of age. CDC recommends that you always follow the recommendations appearing on the product label when using repellent.
• Apply repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Do not apply under your clothes or on broken skin.
• To apply repellent to your face, spray on your hands and then rub on your face, avoiding your eyes.
• Adults should always apply repellent to children.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors for long periods of time.
• Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.
• Make sure that your house has tight-fitting windows and doors, and that all screens are free of holes.  

Protecting Your Home

Reduce the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around your home, which is where mosquitoes breed.

• Dispose of tin cans, ceramic pots and other unnecessary containers that have accumulated on your property. Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children's toys or anything that could collect water.
• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers. Drainage holes that are located on the container sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed.
• Check and clean roof gutters routinely. They are often overlooked, but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended by a family for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.  

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

There is one (1) new case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Louisiana this week, a disease that can also affect humans; there have been 11 total cases this year. The number of cases among horses is similar to last year as displayed on Page 2 of the weekly Arbovirus Surveillance Summary. To date, there have been zero (0) reported human cases of EEE in Louisiana this year.

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is transmitted to humans and horses by the bite of an infected mosquito. After humans are infected with the virus, they can develop encephalitis. EEE is a rare illness in humans, and only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. Most cases occur in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states (see map). Most persons infected with EEEV have no apparent illness. Severe cases of EEE (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, or coma. EEE is one of the most severe mosquito-transmitted diseases in the United States with approximately 33 percent mortality and significant brain damage in most survivors. This infection is preventable in horses with prior vaccination.

EEE is one of several mosquito-transmitted diseases that are reason for people to take precautions against mosquito bites.

Chikungunya Fever/Dengue Fever

DHH continues to monitor chikungunya fever and dengue fever, and include any reported cases in its weekly Arbovirus Surveillance Summary.  This week, there was one (1) new case of chikungunya fever imported to Louisiana; it was contracted while the individual was traveling to the Dominican Republic. There were no new cases of dengue fever. So far this year, there have been 12 cases of chikungunya fever and two (2) case of dengue fever. All of Louisiana's reported chikungunya fever and dengue fever infections took place while the individuals were outside of the United States.

TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS

Anyone traveling abroad should also take the precautions listed above to protect themselves from mosquitoes in other countries. Mosquitoes in other parts of the world including the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa or Europe might infect you with chikungunya or dengue fever. For more information about these diseases, visit the CDC's website by clicking here.

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