Arboviral

 Arboviral Diseases

 Arboviral diseases are a group of viral illnesses that are primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods (Arbovirus = Arthropod-borne virus).  Less commonly, some arboviruses can be transmitted to humans through rare modes of transmission, such as blood transfusions, lab exposures, organ transplants, or perinatal transmission.

 Arboviral diseases can be divided into two main categories: endemic and imported.  Endemic arboviral diseases are infections which occur in Louisiana, such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, and West Nile Virus.  West Nile Virus is the most common arboviral disease in the state and has been actively transmitted since it was first detected in 2002.  One case of Jamestown Canyon Virus (a virus more commonly found in the upper Midwest) was reported in Louisiana in 2017.  Imported arboviral disease cases are instances where individuals test positive for an infection after travelling to another country.  These diseases are not typically transmitted within Louisiana and are not circulating in local mosquito populations.  The imported arboviral diseases most commonly identified in Louisiana are chikungunya and dengue. 

More information about West Nile Virus and links to weekly Arboviral Reports can be found here: West Nile Virus

CDC Resources for travelers visiting other countries: CDC Traveler’s Health

More information about parasitic vectorborne diseases (such as malaria and Chagas) can be found here: Parasitic Vector-borne Diseases

More information about tickborne diseases can be found here: Tickborne Diseases 

 Partners

• American Mosquito Control Association  http://www.mosquito.org/
• CDC Main Page for West Nile Virus http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
• Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/animal-health/veterinary-health-division/diseases/  
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries   http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
• Louisiana Mosquito Control Association  http://www.lmca.us/
• LSU Louisiana State Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory http://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/laddl/index.php  
• Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine http://www.sph.tulane.edu/
• USGS Arbovirus Disease Maps by State  http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/index.html  
• Local Mosquito Control Programs
• Office of Public Health Laboratory
• Office of Public Health Sanitarians

Primary Contact Information