West Nile virus detected in St. Mary Parish mosquito population

LSU’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab has confirmed a West Nile positive mosquito pool in St. Mary Parish, that according to Cajun Mosquito Control owner Jesse Boudreaux. Boudreaux, says they are now "following CDC Expanded Transmission Protocol measures for West Nile virus in Glencoe and Four Corners area."  Residents are encouraged to wear insect repellant, preferably one containing DEET. Always read repellant labels carefully, especially for younger children. Also, try to wear light-colored, long sleeve clothing and socks. Repair or replace broken screens on windows and doors, and avoid using perfumes or colognes. Residents should remove any standing water around their homes or businesses. Clogged rain gutters and pet water bowls can produce thousands of mosquitoes per week and something as small as a coke can or bottle cap can produce a breeding site for mosquitoes. Remember, remove any standing/stagnant water. Avoiding mosquitoes and their peak activity times of dusk and dawn is highly recommended, but if one must be outside, please wear a repellant."West Nile virus has now been confirmed in St. Mary Parish. Residents in these areas are being informed that there is a heightened potential for encephalitis infection within any of these locations," Boudreaux says.Personal protection and yard sanitation is recommended and encouraged.Boudreaux says that sprayers will be assigned to spray the parish to reduce and maintain the population of mosquitos. This spraying should happen over three evenings, weather permitting. In other areas of Louisiana, one human case of West Nile virus was detected in Ascension Parish near St. Amant.  That area received additional treatment after the state department of health confirmed the case. Read more here. According to the Advocate, Louisiana now has 13 human cases of the West Nile virus this year. Read more here