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The Department of Health and Hospitals has closed all oyster harvest areas located from the Louisiana -Mississippi State Line to the Atchafalya River effective at official sunset today, October 10, 2004. This closure affects those harvest areas located in Areas 1-24.
The Department of Health and Hospitals today reports 20 new cases of West Nile virus, raising the total number of cases in state to 75 for the year.
Health officials with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Animal Health Services State Veterinarian’s Office have detected an outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) among horses in portions of DeSoto and Caddo parishes.
Nearly every two hours, another youth in this country dies from suicide. And for every completed suicide, there are another 100 to 200 non-fatal attempts. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents in Louisiana. Most startling is the fact that more people kill themselves than are killed by others.
The Department of Health and Hospitals has detected 15 more cases of West Nile virus, bringing the total number of cases in Louisiana to 55. Nine of the new cases were from the Caddo/Bossier parishes area, which had the majority of cases during last year’s outbreak.
The Department of Health and Hospitals stresses safety to residents returning home to areas that have been affected by Hurricane Ivan. DHH Offers the following reminders to residents for a safe and injury-free return:
Because of the continual threat of tropical storms and hurricanes, many Louisiana residents purchase individual, gas-powered, generators to provide power to their homes in the event of an outage.
Evacuation shelters for people with special medical conditions only will be opened in three communities in Louisiana. These are shelters of last resort and are not for the general public.
Due to local evacuation orders, the New Orleans Regional Office of Public Health has closed. During this time the office is unable to accept phone calls. Health officials are in the process of establishing a new number for the area. During this time, people in this area who are in need of public health services should contact the Baton Rouge, Lafayette or Alexandria regional public health offices.
The Department of Health and Hospitals has closed ALL oyster harvest areas from the Mississippi State Line to South West Pass, Vermilion Bay as a precautionary measure in anticipation of the adverse effects of Hurricane Ivan. This precautionary closure prohibits oyster harvest from all state waters and is effective today, September 14, 2004 at official sunset.
The Department of Health and Hospitals has detected five more cases of West Nile virus, bringing the total number of cases in Louisiana to 40 this year. There are two new cases from East Baton Rouge Parish and one case each from Livingston, Morehouse and West Carroll parishes.
Over the past week, the Department of Health and Hospitals has confirmed 16 new cases of West Nile virus in Louisiana. Six of the new cases come from East Baton Rouge Parish, two from Caddo and one case each from Bossier, Calcasieu, Livingston, Madison, Ouachita, St. Landry, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. In addition, a 66 year-old male from St. Landry Parish is the second person with West Nile to die this year.