If you thought the West Nile Virus had gone away, think again. The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting the first case of the deadly form of West Nile in Acadiana in two years.
Dr. Glennis Gray with the Department of Health says the symptoms are similar to the flu
“While 80% of human cases are asymptomatic, many people can develop West Nile fever. The symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or rashes,” she says.
She says the rash is a tell-tale sign of West Nile, so if you have those symptoms and have been bitten, get to a doctor ASAP
Gray says this is shaping up to be a very challenging West Nile season and we are entering the peak time for transmission. She urges residents not to let their guard down and to take diligent precautions against mosquito bites.
“There is an elevated risk of being infected over this particular season, especially since it’s been raining every day twice a day,” Gray says..
Rain means pools of standing water. In that water this year, experts have found nearly three times the number of West Nile-positive mosquitos as last year. So far this year the state is reporting two deaths from West Nile and fourteen of severe neuroinvasive cases.
“West Nile is here to stay, it just dies down and resurrects itself,” Gray says.
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