Environmental Epidemiology & Toxicology

Almost all properties that were damaged by Hurricane Ida and subject to rain water will have mold growth in wet or damp areas. Mold is a serious problem that occurs when water enters and stays within a structure.

The Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Environmental Quality, and Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, have issued a new advisory concerning fish and shellfish for Bayou D’Inde, the Calcasieu Estuary and the Calcasieu Ship Channel.

On Friday, September 16, a levee breach at the City of Brookhaven’s sewage plant released approximately six million gallons of storm water-diluted sewage to the East Branch of the Bogue Chitto River. Based on information provided by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Department of Health and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality are issuing a water contact advisory for swimming and fishing in the Bogue Chitto River for its entire length in Louisiana. The advisory is effective immediately.

For residents who are returning to homes that have been affected by recent flooding, mold removal is a top priority.

Children with special medical needs are especially vulnerable

The Department of Health announced today it is suspending all services at the East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit on Florida Blvd. Earlier this week, the Department of Health received a report that detailed the presence of mold throughout the building. Mold is known to cause adverse health effects to people with compromised immune systems.

The Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office of Public Health provides residents of flood-affected areas some basic guidelines for safe mold cleanup and removal.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals offers advice to Louisiana residents with private drinking water wells and to restaurants that are in areas affected by last week’s storm system that caused flooding throughout the state. Also, a fourth death that is attributed to the storm has been confirmed by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is urging individuals traveling to the Caribbean this summer to be wary of mosquitoes, which may transmit the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), while on their trip. The chikungunya virus is also being spread in parts of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

EV-D68 presents with cold-like symptoms, such as fever, coughing, body aches and a runny nose. It may also cause breathing problems or wheezing. Children with asthma or other respiratory illness are the most susceptible to being infected with EV-D68. When parents notice high fever, dehydration or trouble breathing they should immediately take their child in to see their primary care provider or to see a provider at an urgent care clinic.