West Nile Update for Louisiana – August 2013

For Louisiana residents, the West Nile virus is a concern each year, and 2013 is no different.

West Nile is the most commonly transmitted disease from mosquitoes to humans, and symptoms include flu-like effects, fever, stiff neck and confusion. Only 1 in 5 people will actually show symptoms, but for those who do, the side effects can be severe. Elders and young children are most at risk for developing serious symptoms from the virus. Thankfully, wearing insect repellent, avoiding the hours of dusk and dawn and covering the skin when possible are effective preventative measures.

2013 Numbers for the West Nile Virus 

On a national level, West Nile cases have been reported in most states. Some states favor the virus in animals over humans, but Louisiana is one of the states that has had human activity. At the start of August 2013, there were seven new cases of West Nile reported in Louisiana, bringing the grand total to eight.

Out of the cases that have been reported, two were neuroinvasive, according to the Department of Health and Hospitals. The neuroinvasive disease affects the brain and spinal cord and can lead to death, brain damage or paralysis. It is the more severe disease. The DHH also reports four milder cases of  West Nile. These cases were recorded in St. Tammany and Lafayette Parishes, while the severe cases came from Calcasieu and Ouachita Parishes.

Additionally, there was an asymptomatic case reported in St. Tammany Parish, meaning that there were no symptoms present. This is the most common outcome for people who contract the disease, but it can be picked up in a routine blood test or medical test. There was also a case reported in Caldwell Parish – this was the first documented case in LA this year, confirmed on July 22.

How Does this Year Stack up to the Rest? 

Last year was a big one for Louisiana, with 160 cases of West Nile reported. The worst year was in 2002, with 204 cases reported. So far, this year has been slower, and the first recorded case of the virus didn’t occur until July. This is late in the season, but with the cooler spring months that we had, it’s suspected that mosquitoes didn’t start breeding until late in the season.

As we waited for cases to emerge at the start of the summer season, mosquitoes trapped in Baton Rouge were tested for West Nile and found to be positive. Since this evidence was found early on, mosquito truck crews in the area began spraying in May, focusing heavily on areas where the virus was found. Areas were sprayed about three times each week in the spring, so these proactive measures may have also played a role in the decrease of the virus. Some years, crews go out as early as March, but the cool spring gave us additional time.

The West Nile virus remains a threat each year, but it seems that this year is more hopeful than last. Still, the warm, humid weather and rains can linger in Louisiana throughout the fall and early winter, giving mosquitoes ample time to gain in numbers. If you remember from last year, cases were being reported long into the months of October and November.

Be Smart – We Still Have a Long Mosquito Season! 

The DHH recommends taking precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites no matter what Parish you live in or the age that you are. Water is necessary for mosquito breeding, so it’s important that all residents do not harbor breeding areas from bird baths, rain barrels, swimming pools and the like. Standing water should be dumped out, screens should be tight fitting and without holes and leaky outside pipes and window air conditioners should be repaired. By working together, the residents of Baton Rouge can greatly decrease mosquito numbers and cases of West Nile.

Post-Isaac Aftermath for Pests in Louisiana

As Hurricane Isaac slammed into the Louisiana coast as a Category 1 storm at the end of August, we were reminded just how unpredictable life can be. Isaac left behind plenty of rainfall, adding to the existing problem of pests, mosquitoes and West Nile.

West Nile: Already a High Threat

As you may already know, West Nile has reached a peak this year, with hundreds of confirmed cases in the southern states alone. Residents have been encouraged to take preventative measures that include avoiding the hours of dusk and dawn, wearing insect repellent on the skin and clothing and dumping out standing water.

With the rainfall from Isaac, standing water has become an even greater problem. Puddles and ponds of murky water have been left in some of the most unlikely places, and while residents may notice standing water in flower pots, gutters and wheelbarrows, there are many other places that are getting missed. These murky waters are the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and could therefore increase the threat of West Nile, especially as we’re still in the height of the season.

Cleanup Efforts after Isaac

So far this year, there have been 145 cases of West Nile and nine deaths reported in the state of Louisiana. With the high number of mosquitoes, high threat of West Nile and plenty of rainfall from Isaac, there is the potential for swarms of mosquitoes thanks to new breeding areas.

Fortunately, proactive measures from volunteer crews and rescuers to improve flood protection and clean up after Isaac have been effective. Still, there are many areas where standing water sits undetected. As always, health officials remind residents to be proactive by dumping out standing water and being on the outlook for potential mosquito breeding grounds. Some of the larger parishes have professional spray treatments as well to help cut down on these pesky insects. For those who want added protection on their property, a mosquito misting system could prove beneficial, especially after such a rain-heavy storm like Isaac.

September 2012 West Nile Update for Louisiana

As we say goodbye to the summer and approach slightly cooler temps and shorter days in the fall, many wonder where the West Nile virus stands in Louisiana. Is there still a moderate threat? Should residents still be taking preventative measures? Are there still confirmed cases of the virus in Baton Rouge?

The Centers for Disease Control released another West Nile virus update that was updated during the week of September 10. The CDC has updated us with the following information:

–      A total of 2,636 cases across the U.S.
–      118 deaths
–      1,405 neuroinvasive cases
–      1,231 non-neuroinvasive cases
–      Two-thirds of all cases have been reported from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Dakota

For the Baton Rouge area, West Nile poses a unique threat because there are no cold temperatures in the near future that will wipe out mosquito colonies. As long as mosquitoes are a threat, so is West Nile. And this year, it seems as if the virus is back with a vengeance. The virus reached new heights in 2002, but continued to drop over the years. In 2002, there were 328 cases in Louisiana, and this year, there have been 176 reported so far. To put these numbers into perspective, there were only 12 reported cases last year.

Some parishes have also been struggling with getting the proper proactive measures in place. Spraying treatments can be costly and in turn raise taxes, and not all parishes have passed these proposals, especially rural parishes. The good news is that even though this has been one harsh year with the West Nile virus, the number of cases is expected to drop.

West Nile is most commonly seen in the late summer and early fall, and we’re starting to get past that point. While it’s still critical that you take preventative measures – dumping out sources of standing water, wearing mosquito repellent and avoiding dusk and dawn hours – the threat will be subsiding over the next few weeks.

Smart Tips for Avoiding the West Nile Virus

Many of us don’t imagine getting the West Nile virus, especially because mosquitoes are are a regular part of living in the south. However, there are effective ways to protect yourself and your family, and everyone should be doing their part. Just as you would wash your hands and cover your mouth to prevent the spread of germs while having a cold, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid the West Nile virus. While the best thing to do is try to avoid getting bit altogether, we know this can be extremely difficult in the south, and it takes more diligence than just spraying on your favorite bug spray. Let’s take a look at the best way to prevent these itchy bug bites and your risk of the West Nile virus.

The Correct Use of Insect Repellents

Any time you step outdoors, you run the risk of getting bitten by a mosquito. If you’re going to be outside for any length of time, apply insect repellent to the exposed skin and spray your clothes with an EPA-registered repellent. Most EPA-registered repellents have an agent called permethrin in them that prevent mosquitoes from biting through the clothing. However, you should never place these repellents directly on the skin. Also never spray repellent underneath your clothes. When choosing bug sprays, don’t think that just because the spray has a higher percentage of the active ingredient means that it’s stronger. Instead, it means that the repellent will last longer. With this in mind, select a product that will provide you with enough protection for the time you’ll be outdoors. If the weather is cool enough, wear long sleeves or pants, and always place bug nets on infant carriers and strollers. Dawn, dusk and early evening are when mosquitoes bite the most, so exercise extra caution when out during these times.

Preventing the Spread of Mosquitoes

Not only should you avoid getting bit by a mosquito, but also you should prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Since mosquitoes like standing water, draining sources that collect water will prevent them from laying eggs. Look for standing water in flower pots, buckets, barrels, cans, water dishes, bird baths and swimming pools. Clean out clogged gutters and remove items lying in the yard that could collect water, such as old tires or wood logs. Even trash items that blow under your bushes can collect water, so do a regular sweep of the yard and look for recyclable containers and plastic bags that may have blown over from a neighbor’s yard.

Place Tight Fitting Screens on Windows and Doors

You may be careful to avoid mosquito bites when you’re outdoors, but we often forget about bug control when we’re indoors. Be sure that you have well-fitted screens on both your doors and windows. These tiny insects can easily get through screens that have holes or are loosely positioned onto doors and windows, coming into the home and serving as a potential threat for West Nile. Having adequate screens also provides additional perks, such as keeping dirt and standing water out of the windows. If you feel that your mosquito problem is severe, don’t hesitate to call a professional pest control company. Dugas Pest Control has their own unique mosquito control system that will rid these stubborn insects from your work or outdoor space – for good.

Image c/o: umaa.org

West Nile Problems in Baton Rouge

Louisiana residents joke about the prevalence of mosquitoes in the area by saying that the state bird IS the mosquito. This year has been especially challenging with the increase in mosquitoes and the virus they carry – West Nile.

2012 Stats for West Nile

Just this week, officials in the Baton Rouge area alerted neighborhoods to take extra precautions from being bit by mosquitoes because of the prevalence of West Nile. Research has indicated that the infection rate for mosquitoes is 11.1 percent for every 1,000 mosquitoes tested. That is almost twice the number that has been found in the past, and even those numbers resulted in human cases of the West Nile virus.

So far, there have been 53 cases of West Nile in the state of Louisiana, and positive samples of the virus have been found throughout the parishes. Officials have been placing mosquito traps in the Baton Rouge area to trap mosquitoes and test them for the virus. There is growing concern over encephalitis – swelling of the brain – which has been found to be part of the virus in some of the mosquitoes tested.

Concerns for Hunting Season

As always, health officials are most concerned about the very old and the very young, but the entire population is of concern at the immediate time. Not only has there been more West Nile activity this year compared to the last three to five years, but also the next three months are the peak of the season. With hunting season around the corner, this is also a concern over West Nile cases that will occur during the fall. With hunters spending long days outdoors and around trees and animals, the number of West Nile cases could spike.

Local Efforts to Prevent West Nile

Thankfully, 90 percent of West Nile cases are asymptomatic, which means you carry the virus but have no symptoms. In about 10 percent of cases, the person will develop a fever; those who are over 65 years of age are of greatest concern because they are at a higher risk for complications.

To protect yourself against the virus, Louisiana officials urge all residents to look for standing water around their home and eliminate it – regularly. That means dumping out water that sits in flower pots, buckets, swimming pools and bird baths.

Working with a pest control company like Dugas Pest Control can get your home safe from these pesky insects so you don’t have to worry. It’s important to choose a local company that understands the unique environment of the south and how these damp and wet conditions can provide mosquitoes with the perfect grounds for breeding. You can also expect to see the Baton Rouge area stepping up in its own precautionary efforts, spraying each day to control these pesky pests.