August 23, 2013 DHH Confirms Four New Cases of West Nile virusHealth officials remind residents to be aware of virus threat

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The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting four new West Nile cases this week, bringing this year's total number of cases to 13. This week's new infections include two cases of neuroinvasive disease, both from Ouachita Parish, and two asymptomatic cases, one each from Ouachita and Vernon parishes.

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 reported 160 cases of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in the state, which is down from 2002's high of 204 cases of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease. LDH has been tracking West Nile virus for more than a decade, and statistics about its occurrence in Louisiana can be found in LDH's weekly Arbovirus Surveillance Report, found on line at www.dhh.louisiana.gov/fightthebite.

This year, Ouachita Parish has reported four cases of neuroinvasive disease and Caldwell and Calcasieu parishes each have one case of neuroinvasive disease.

Dr. Raoult Ratard, State Epidemiologist, recommends that all citizens take precautions to protect themselves.

SAFETY TIPS

Protecting Yourself

Protecting Your Home

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.

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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