Infectious Disease

The Louisiana Morbidity Report is published every other month by the Office of Public Health/Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section. For more information, please contact them at: P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160 - Phone: (504) 568-8313

With the number of reported measles cases reaching the highest point this century, officials with the Louisiana Department of Health are urging people to get vaccinated. The United States is currently experiencing its worst outbreak of measles since the disease was considered eliminated in 2000, and the worst in 25 years. So far, over 700 people in 22 states have contracted the illness. They were all unvaccinated.

An increase in measles cases in the U.S. has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although cases of Measles have not yet spread to Louisiana, we want clinicians to be on the lookout. Measles is still common in many parts of the world, including some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.

The Louisiana Department of Health has declared an outbreak of hepatitis A in the state. Although most of the recent cases have been reported in Morehouse Parish, cases have been reported in other parts of the state.

The Louisiana Department of Health is awarding two $250,000 grants to establish mosquito abatement districts in St. Mary and Assumption parishes. The grants, sub-awards of a larger grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will allow these parishes to start in-house mosquito abatement districts.

Louisiana state health officials are investigating a confirmed case of measles in New Orleans. The illness was confirmed through laboratory testing in New Orleans resident who recently traveled out of the country. This case is not related to a positive measles case reported earlier in April of this year. In both cases, the individuals were not vaccinated.

Louisiana state health officials are investigating a confirmed case of measles in New Orleans. The illness was confirmed through laboratory testing in a recent traveler from Europe to New Orleans.

As of October 23, officials with the Louisiana Department of Health are providing the most recent case counts of individuals who have been identified with a gastrointestinal illness related to the food poisoning outbreak in Caldwell Parish.

As of October 21, officials with the Louisiana Department of Health are providing the most recent case counts of individuals who have been identified with a gastrointestinal illness related to the Salmonella outbreak in Caldwell Parish.

As of Oct. 19, 49 cases of a gastrointestinal illness have been confirmed with 31 people hospitalized. One death has occurred and an autopsy is occurring to determine if the death was caused by this illness or other causes. The ages of those with a confirmed illness range from 15 years old to 70.