State’s first human case of West Nile virus this year confirmed in Livingston Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - One person is hospitalized after contracting West Nile virus in Livingston Parish, according to officials.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirmed this is the first human case of West Nile virus for this year’s mosquito season.

Officials are urging all Louisiana residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, which can carry West Nile virus, causing mild to severe illnesses.

Due to patient confidentiality, information about the patient is limited. However, officials said the individual was hospitalized due to complications from the infection.

The Louisiana Department of Health released tips to protect yourself and your home from mosquitoes.

Tips to protect yourself against mosquitoes

• Wear EPA-registered mosquito repellent outdoors and always follow label instructions.
• Apply repellent on exposed skin only. Do not apply under clothing or on broken skin.
• Carry a travel-size repellent if you will be outdoors for an extended period.
• Apply sunscreen first, insect repellent second, if you are also wearing sunscreen.
• Make sure windows are tight-fitting and screens are free of holes to keep mosquitoes out.

Tips to protect your home from mosquitoes

• Eliminate standing water around your home, which is where mosquitoes breed. 
• Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys, and anything that can collect standing water.
• Quickly discard or store any containers around your home to avoid accumulating water. Drill holes in standing containers to drain water quickly.
• Clean roof gutters routinely. Clogged gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes annually.
• Take steps to prevent water gardens and ornamental pools from stagnating (and becoming major mosquito producers), such as adding fish or aeration.
• Clean bird baths weekly, as changing the water keeps it from stagnating and becoming a breeding area for mosquitoes.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, especially if they go unused. Be aware that mosquitoes also breed in water accumulated on pool covers. 
• Install or repair window screens.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit LDH’s website.

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