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• October 16, 2014

  State Medicaid Paying for New Services for Louisiana Residents Fighting Cancer

  Baton Rouge, La. -- The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced it is paying for two new services for Louisiana Medicaid recipients battling cancer to help improve health outcomes. As of July 1, 2014, Louisiana's Medicaid program began reimbursing for a genetic screening called Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay for Louisiana women diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer and custom-fit compression garments for individuals who have undergone certain cancer treatments and are now experiencing the swelling symptoms caused by lymphedema.

• October 10, 2014

  State Urges Louisiana Caregivers to Take Special Precautions to Protect Loved Ones from West Nile Virus

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is asking caregivers in Louisiana to take extra precautions to protect their loved ones from contracting West Nile virus. Individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to be impacted more severely by this virus that has impacted at least 128 individuals so far this year. This week, the Department is reporting one (1) death, and five new cases, three of which caused neuroinvasive disease.

• October 08, 2014

  State urges Louisiana residents to Vaccinate Pets for Rabies

  Baton Rouge, La.-(October 7, 2014) - The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) has been notified by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) that a case of rabies has been confirmed in a dog in the West Monroe area. DHH officials also confirmed a cat in Washington Parish was reported positive for rabies in September and that a dog was reported in Lafayette Parish in January.

• October 01, 2014

  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Employment For People With Disabilities Is A Priority for Louisiana

  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.

• September 26, 2014

  DHH Reminds Residents to Fight the Bite this Weekend; 15 New Cases of West Nile Virus

  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.

• September 19, 2014

  Health Officials Confirm 11 New West Nile Virus Infections, Including One Death; 103 Total Cases This Year

  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.

• September 17, 2014

  Joint Statement from LDH and the CDC Regarding Illness of Cargo Ship Crew Member

  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.

• September 16, 2014

  Simple Steps Can Help Prevent the Spread of Enterovirus D68

  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.

• September 12, 2014

  DHH Testing Confirms Presence of Naegleria Fowleri Ameba in Ebarb Water District 1 Aimwell Area

  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.

• September 12, 2014

  Health Officials Confirm 12 New West Nile Virus Infections; 92 Total Cases This Year

  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.

• September 05, 2014

  Health Officials Confirm Two New West Nile Virus Deaths

  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.

• September 03, 2014

  State officials, Blue Cross announce payment reforms aimed at improving birth outcomes for Louisiana newborns

  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.