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On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, individuals with disabilities, employers and advocates gathered on the Capitol steps to call attention to the importance of employment for people with disabilities and the beginning of Louisiana's observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
This week, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed 15 new cases of West Nile virus, of which five were neuroinvasive disease infections, bringing this year's total to 118 reported infections. There were no new deaths reported this week.
DHH issues a weekly Arbovirus Surveillance Report that details cases detected thus far by parish. This week's new infections include seven neuroinvasive disease cases in Ascension (1), LaFourche (3), Pointe Coupee (1), Terrebonne (1) and Washington (1) parishes. There were two new cases of West Nile fever; Jefferson Davis (1), Livingston (1) parishes, and two new asymptomatic cases in East Baton Rouge (1) and Ascension (1) parishes.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed a positive test result this evening for malaria in the patient being treated at a New Orleans-area hospital. DHH shared this information with CDC and local officials.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed two cases of the Enterovirus D68 in the Capital Area today. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of many enteroviruses that are very common in the United States and typically flare up in the fall months. Since children are the most susceptible to contracting EV-D68, DHH is encouraging parents to take simple steps to help prevent the spread of EV-D68, such as encouraging children to wash their hands, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid sharing food or drink with people who are sick.
Today, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced that its testing confirmed the presence of the Naegleria fowleri ameba in the Ebarb Water District 1 Aimwell Area located in Sabine Parish. This water system serves 5,529 people. There are no known cases of illness related to the ameba in Sabine Parish or elsewhere in the state currently.
This week, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed 12 new cases of West Nile virus, of which three were neuroinvasive disease infections, bringing this year's total to 92 reported infections.
This Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is urging everyone to Fight the Bite, and protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases. This comes as DHH confirms two new West Nile virus deaths this week, bringing this year's total to four West Nile virus deaths. The deaths are in Northwest Louisiana and the Capital Area Region. DHH is also reporting 19 new West Nile virus infections, of which six were neuroinvasive disease cases, bringing this year's total to 80 reported infections.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) Secretary Kathy H. Kliebert joined officials from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, and other health care leaders today in announcing a payment reform that will help Louisiana newborns have a head start on a healthy life. Effective Sept. 1, 2014, Blue Cross and Louisiana Medicaid will no longer pay for elective, medically unnecessary births of infants before 39 weeks of gestation. The change is expected to reduce the number of early elective deliveries by providers across the state and to reduce the number of costly health complications that lead many infants to have preventable medical challenges.
This week, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed nine new cases of West Nile virus, of which five were neuroinvasive disease cases, bringing this year's total to 61 reported infections. Louisiana continues to have the nation's second highest number of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease cases.
Today, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced that its testing confirmed the presence of the Naegleria fowleri ameba in the St. John Water District 1 water system. This water system serves 12,577 people in the towns of Reserve, Garyville and Mt. Airy. There are no known cases of illness related to the ameba in St. John the Baptist Parish or elsewhere in the state currently.
With the increasing numbers of West Nile virus cases in the state, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is urging residents to be vigilant and protect themselves from mosquitoes. This week, DHH confirmed 10 new cases of West Nile virus, of which seven were neuroinvasive disease cases, bringing this year's total to 52 reported infections. Prior to these new cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's August 19, 2014 weekly West Nile Virus report, Louisiana had the second highest number of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease cases.