The year’s first confirmed case of West Nile Encephalitis virus in the Greater New Orleans area was found last week in a Killona mosquito sample.
One mosquito that was collected on Post Street tested positive for the virus after being sent to LSU for testing.
Mosquito Control immediately began treating the area when the results came back positive last Friday.
“In addition to our normal spraying, we initiate a virus response protocol,” said Steve Pavlovich, with Mosquito Control Services. “That entails us spraying the area three consecutive nights with the truck, which we did immediately, blanketing the neighborhoods with pamphlets and door hangers notifying them of the danger, asking residents to check their yards for standing water, and treating all drains and ditches in the surrounding area.
“We don’t want to alarm people, but these are things that they need to take precautions against.”
Last year, about 25-30 positive samples were found throughout the greater New Orleans area with about five of those being found in St. Charles, Pavlovich said. While the peak times for West Nile virus are August through October, Pavlovich said that positive mosquito samples have been found as early as February in the New Orleans area.
Residents are urged to avoid mosquitoes by not going outside at dawn and dusk, wearing pants and long-sleeve shirts, using insect repellent that contains DEET and dumping out any standing water in their yards.
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