Infectious Disease

This week, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed 13 new cases of West Nile virus, of which five were neuroinvasive disease infections, bringing this year’s total to 42 reported cases.

There’s still plenty of time this summer to enjoy the coast or the beach, whether it’s along the Gulf Coast or the Caribbean. Before heading out, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) wants to warn travelers, beachgoers and fishermen about two diseases, Vibrio vulnificus and the chikungunya virus.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is confirming the state's second West Nile virus death, an individual older than 75. The state's latest surveillance report also includes 14 new West Nile virus cases, bringing this year's total number of cases to 29.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is confirming six new West Nile virus cases this week, bringing this year's total number of cases to 15. This week's new infections include three cases of neuroinvasive disease in Caddo Parish, two cases of West Nile fever, with one each in Caddo and Livingston parishes, and an asymptomatic case in East Baton Rouge Parish. This week's cases can be found in the weekly West Nile virus Surveillance report by clicking here.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is reporting the state’s first West Nile virus death of 2014. The death occurred in Caddo Parish. This week, DHH is confirming six new cases of West Nile virus, including the one death, bringing this year's total number of cases to nine. This week's new infections include four cases of neuroinvasive disease, with two cases in Caddo Parish, one case in East Baton Rouge Parish and one case in St. Tammany Parish. The state has one new case of West Nile fever in Caddo and one new asymptomatic case in Livingston Parish. In addition to these new cases, a previously reported asymptomatic case in Livingston Parish has been upgraded to West Nile fever.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has reported the state's first human cases of West Nile virus of 2014. The three cases were recently confirmed in Livingston Parish and were all asymptomatic, meaning these individuals did not know they were infected, and only found out while donating blood or having blood work.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is reporting seven new West Nile cases this week, bringing this year’s total number of cases to eight. At this time last year, the state had 53 cases of West Nile virus. The state may be off to a slow start this West Nile season, but health officials warn residents not to let their guard down.

The state’s worst year for West Nile virus in a decade continues into the fall season, with state health officials reporting 12 new cases and two deaths this week.

State health officials today confirmed nine new West Nile virus cases, urging Louisiana residents to continue to protect their health and Fight the Bite. No West Nile deaths occurred this week. The State is experiencing its most active year for West Nile since 2002, which was the major outbreak year of the virus in Louisiana. So far, there have been 321 cases and 12 deaths from the disease reported this year.

Even though the fall season is under way, state health officials remind Louisiana residents that West Nile virus remains a threat, and urges everyone to protect their health by avoiding mosquito bites. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals today confirmed 25 new West Nile virus cases. No West Nile deaths occurred this week. Louisiana is experiencing the most West Nile cases since its 2002 outbreak year, with 305 cases and 11 deaths from the disease reported thus far in 2012.