August 19, 2014 West Nile Update

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Aug 19, 2014 - During West Nile virus season, the health department issues weekly reports listing cases detected and any deaths that occurred. The goal of this surveillance for West Nile infections in humans is to give an updated picture of how widespread West Nile infection is in the population at that time. See reports >>

After 10 years of surveillance, LDH has established that West Nile virus is present in all areas of Louisiana. People are at risk of contracting West Nile through mosquito bites regardless of whether a death or human case has been detected in their parishes. Although mosquito control partners and abatement districts remain vigilant in keeping the mosquito population under control, everyone has a personal responsibility to prevent West Nile infection by avoiding mosquito bites.

Protect 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% DEET when used on children. Insect repellents also are not recommended for children younger than 2 months. 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.
• 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.

Mosquito Population Control

• 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 or buckets 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.
• Clean clogged roof gutters yearly. 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 that goes on vacation 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.  

Download LDH's Fight the Bite: West Nile prevention tips flier

  Reports