July 06, 2012 DHH Confirms State's First West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease CaseLouisiana reports three new cases of West Nile Virus

- The Louisiana Department of Health (DHH) has confirmed three additional human cases of West Nile Virus, one of them the potentially deadly neuroinvasive disease. The neuroinvasive disease case was an adult in Vernon Parish and the two adult asymptomatic cases were in Tangipahoa Parish. The new cases were confirmed last week. This year, Louisiana has had a total of four human West Nile Virus infections; one was neuroinvasive disease and three were asymptomatic cases.

Last year, Louisiana recorded 12 cases of West Nile virus, the lowest number over the 10 years the state has been tracking the disease. Of those cases, six were neuroinvasive disease, four were West Nile fever and two were asymptomatic. The highest number of total cases was 328 in 2002, that year also produced the state's highest number of neuroinvasive disease cases, 204. 

Health officials characterize West Nile infections three ways: neuroinvasive, West Nile fever and asymptomatic. A neuroinvasive illness is severe and typically results in a swelling of the brain or spinal cord. People with this illness are at risk of brain damage or death. West Nile fever is less severe, with most people only suffering mild, flu-like symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals were never ill and were only discovered to have the West Nile virus in their blood when blood work was done for some other reason, such as blood donation.

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.

"This is a reminder that West Nile Virus is once again here in Louisiana," said Dr. Ratard LDH State Epidemiologist. "It should always be taken seriously. In view of that, we should all take some simple precautions to avoid mosquito bites and to reduce mosquito populations in and around the home."  

Protect Yourself 

Mosquito Population Control 

Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about LDH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow LDH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook.

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

Powered by Cicero Government