Chicken blood samples testing positive for West Nile Virus have been confirmed in 14 different locations in St. Charles Parish, according to the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
Samples were reported as positive in Destrehan, Ormond, Taft and Ama on Oct. 17; in South Ormond on Aug. 22 and Sept. 26; in Montz on Sept. 6, 19 and Oct. 3; Fairfield on Sept. 26; Bayou Gauche on Sept. 19 and Oct. 3; Des Allemands on Oct. 24; Paradis on Oct. 24; Turtle Pond on Sept. 19 and Oct. 3; St. Rose on Sept. 19 and Oct. 3; and Mimosa and Hahnville on Oct. 3.
According to the St. Charles Parish website, residents are encouraged to avoid mosquito bites by staying indoors at dawn and dusk, wearing pants and long sleeves and using insect repellent containing DEET.
To eradicate mosquito breeding sites, be sure to dump out any standing water in yards.
On Monday, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) reported the state’s first death resulting from West Nile Virus, while six new cases have been reported to the state since Oct. 14.
There have been 36 cases in all reported this year. The location of the patient’s death was not disclosed by the LDH to protect the patient’s privacy.
Last year, there were three deaths in Louisiana reported by the middle of October.
The disease is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
The parish website also notes mosquito control has increased spraying and other abatement measures in the area.
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