Infectious Disease

Louisiana’s top health official doesn’t mince words when discussing the Zika virus threat to the state.

Officials with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals have developed a plan to protect the public should an outbreak of Zika virus occur in the state. The multi-part plan is designed to reduce mosquito populations and mobilize against transmission of Zika virus if an outbreak does occur.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has been notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that two Louisiana residents who recently traveled to the Caribbean and South America were found to have had the Zika virus. Both individuals no longer have symptoms, and the Zika virus was confirmed after the individuals had recovered and no longer had the virus in their bloodstream.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is investigating two presumptive cases of imported Zika virus in the state.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed one new case of West Nile Virus this week. Of the 55 total cases this year, 34 are neuroinvasive disease (WN-NID), seven West Nile fever and 14 asymptomatic. DHH also confirmed two additional West Nile Virus deaths, bringing the total number of deaths this year to four. The deaths occurred in DHH Regions 4, 2, 7 and 9 consecutively.

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.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) has confirmed three new cases of West Nile virus this week, the first cases of 2015. This week's new infections include two cases of neuroinvasive disease, one in DHH Region 2 and one in Region 6. The third case, also in Region 6 was asymptomatic.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) hosted a ceremony marking a new public health laboratory in Baton Rouge this morning. The public health laboratory serves as the primary daily testing center for many purposes from ensuring safe drinking water for our residents to screening for genetic and metabolic disorders in newborns.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced five (5) new cases of West Nile virus this week, but no new deaths. Fall weekends in Louisiana often mean residents are out at the tailgate and big game, which can mean exposure to mosquitos that could carry the West Nile virus. DHH officials are reminding football fans that the best way to Fight the Bite is by wearing long sleeves and pants, and to use mosquito repellent when outside. Including the new cases from this week, there have been 135 cases of West Nile in Louisiana this year with six (6) of those resulting in death. Only one (1) of the cases tracked this week presented as neuroinvasive disease in Caddo Parish.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced two (2) new cases of West Nile virus this week, but no new deaths. While news of the Ebola virus has dominated national and local press in recent weeks, health care officials are urging Louisiana residents to pay close attention to West Nile virus and take the simple steps necessary to help prevent contracting it. Including the new cases from this week, there have been 130 cases of West Nile in Louisiana this year with six (6) of those resulting in death. Both of this week's new cases presented with fever.