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It has been almost 40 years since the last outbreak of the flu swept the globe, killing more than one million people worldwide. But, with experts predicting a worldwide influenza outbreak (pandemic) in the very near future, state health officials and emergency response officials are testing plans to ensure that Louisiana is ready to respond to the next flu pandemic.
The latest West Nile virus report issued by the Department of Health and Hospitals shows the illness being confirmed in residents from seven Louisiana parishes. In all, six people have been diagnosed with a severe, neuroinvasive disease (such as encephalitis) and two people with less serious cases of West Nile fever.
A swim advisory has been issued for Hackberry Beach and sections 1, 2, 4 and 5 of Holly Beach in Cameron Parish, with section 1 being the easternmost end of the beach and section 6 being the westernmost end. These advisories in Cameron Parish are in addition to advisories that remain in effect at Constance, Gulf Breeze, Little Florida, Long, and Rutherford beaches. Fourchon Beach in Lafourche Parish also remains under a swim advisory.
In the middle of the night, a mother leaves her bed because her baby is hungry. She walks to her kitchen, finds a baby bottle, mixes formula, heats the bottle and then feeds her infant.
The Department of Health and Hospitals today updated its report that outlines West Nile virus activity in Louisiana. The report notes four total cases of human West Nile virus have been detected so far in Louisiana; one case of a neuroinvasive disease, one case of fever and two asymptomatic cases.
In preparation for Hurricane Dean’s entry into the Gulf of Mexico, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals activated its Emergency Operations Center Saturday morning with an incident management team to monitor the storm and take action if necessary.
The swim advisory issued for Grand Isle Beach in Jefferson Parish and Hackberry and Holly beaches in Cameron Parish has been lifted after water samples collected this week showed improved water quality. Grand Isle State Park Beach, east of Grand Isle Beach, and Cypremort Point State Park Beach both continue to have acceptable water quality.
The Department of Health and Hospitals today issued its first comprehensive report of West Nile virus activity for the year. The report notes there have not been any cases of West Nile fever or a neuroinvasive disease yet to be confirmed. The report does show two cases of West Nile identified in patients, neither of whom showed symptoms of an illness (asymptomatic).
A swim advisory has been issued for Fourchon Beach in Lafourche Parish and Rutherford Beach in Cameron Parish after water samples collected this week showed high levels of bacteria. Additionally, seven other beaches in Cameron Parish and one beach in Jefferson Parish remain under a swim advisory.
New federal funding is now available to help existing community clinics in the Greater New Orleans area expand their services, open satellite clinics, stay open longer hours and hire more medical staff.
A widely-reported case of West Nile Virus from East Baton Rouge Parish is not the first 2007 human case of West Nile in Louisiana, according to health officials. Test results reviewed by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals have confirmed that while the patient did have West Nile antibodies present in their system, there is evidence the virus was contracted between one and two years ago.
A swim advisory has been issued for one of the three monitored locations along Grand Isle Beach after water samples collected this week showed high levels of bacteria. In Cameron Parish, the swim advisory remains for Constance, Gulf Breeze, Holly, Little Florida, Long, and Martin beaches.