The state’s first two human cases of West Nile Virus of 2023 have been reported by the Louisiana Department of Health. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it only takes one bite for virus complications…
“We’re in mosquito season right now. West Nile Virus most people don’t get symptomatic with it but a small percentage will get West Nile neuroinvasive disease which can be fatal and have severe complications.”
LDH advises eliminating standing water from around your home, keeping gutters and swimming pool properly cleaned, and also wearing EPA-approved mosquito repellent if you will be outside. Kanter says mosquito pools are present and cases have been discovered in two parishes across the state.
“We announced our first two cases of that last week. One is in Caddo Parish. One is in East Baton Rouge Parish but we’re picking up West Nile Virus in mosquito pools across 13 or 14 parishes right now so it’s out there.”
Cases of malaria, caused by certain types of mosquitos, have been reported in Florida and Texas. Although there are no locally acquired cases of malaria, Kanter says mosquito vectors are present in the state creating the potential for local transmission.
“The mosquito that transmits malaria the anopheles mosquito we have plenty of. So we certainly have the capacity for transmission. All that said, there are a lot of reasons to be mosquito-conscious. And I think that’s something we’re going to have to deal with over the next few months of the summer.”
Last year, Louisiana experienced 41 West Nile neuroinvasive disease cases and seven deaths.
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