Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirmed four human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease in Winnsboro. LDH Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says West Nile in the sate isn’t unusual…
“What is unusual is to see the number of neuroinvasive disease cases in such a small locality as Winnsboro
Sokol says West Nile can result in a range of diseases with eighty percent showing no symptoms, around 20 percent showing flu-like symptoms called West Nile fever, and only 1 percent experiencing neuroinvasive disease which can kill 1 out of 10 people who develop the disease.
“This is a sever disease that affects the central nervous system and this is really dangerous form of the disease.”
Sokol says to remember there’s no vaccine for West Nile so practice preventative measures like…
“…using the EPA approved mosquito repellent on exposed skin, wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts, eliminating standing water receptacles is really important.”
LDH has reported a total of eight West Nile neuroinvasive disease cases in the state in 2024.
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