“The late summer is when we expect West Nile virus to peak, and there were cases diagnosed through October past year, so people need to protect themselves from this potentially deadly disease, ” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county public health officer.
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A report was released earlier this week to show that 10 of the cases were related to neuroinvasive disease, two to West Nile fever and eight were to asymptomatic, said the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
Redfearn said the decision to spray is based on several factors, including positive test results, mosquito activity and events in neighboring cities or the region.
Statewide, more than 35 cases of the virus have been confirmed since January 1.
Butte County has had an “epidemic level” of cases reported, according to Matt Ball, the district manager at the Butte County Public Health Department.
The Juneau County Health Department reported the positive test on Monday.
Southern Indiana has more aggressive measures planned to deal with mosquitoes and the West Nile threat. Neurological effects may be permanent. Breeding places for mosquitoes include swimming pools that are not kept clean, stagnant ponds, pet watering dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys and clogged rain gutters and French drains.
Less than 1% of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness with symptoms such as high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.
Simcoe Muskoka has recently seen its first positive mosquito pool in the Alliston area.
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The Ventura County Environmental Health Division monitors and controls mosquito breeding sources throughout Ventura County. “We’re reminding folks to take precautions”. Most people infected have no symptoms but the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are at risk for life-threatening complications.
