July 13, 2012 DHH Confirms Six New Cases of West Nile VirusHealth Officials Encourage Residents to Take Precautions to Protect Themselves

- The Louisiana Department of Health (DHH) has confirmed six additional human cases of West Nile Virus, bringing this year's total to 10, which includes two cases of neuroinvasive disease. The six new cases come from East Feliciana, Jefferson, Rapides, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes. These cases are reported in LDH's weekly Louisiana Arbovirus Surveillance Reports Section of the LDH Website here.

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.

This year, Rapides and Vernon parishes each have one case of neuroinvasive disease, Rapides and East Feliciana parishes each have a confirmed case of West Nile fever and Jefferson, St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes each have one asymptomatic case. Tangipahoa parish has three asymptomatic cases.

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 

The Louisiana Department of Health 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.

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Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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