Special to the American Press

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health has confirmed four human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease in the Northeast Louisiana community of Winnsboro. These cases were reported between July 5-24.

Louisiana has reported a total of eight West Nile neuroinvasive disease cases in the state in 2024. While it is not uncommon to see increased West Nile disease activity in Louisiana during the summer months, a cluster of cases in a small locality is unusual.

Dengue, which is also spread by mosquitoes, has surged throughout the Americas since 2023.

LDH recommends taking protective measures against mosquito bites, especially for residents of Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll parishes.

About West Nile virus

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and can cause illness in people and animals. While 80% of human cases are asymptomatic, many people can develop West Nile fever. Symptoms are similar to the flu and may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rashes. Despite the name “West Nile fever,” many patients have low-grade or no fever.

A small percentage of people sickened by West Nile virus can develop a severe form of infection called West Nile neuroinvasive disease, or West Nile encephalitis. While anyone is at risk of developing severe disease, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions and those who are over 60 years of age are at greater risk. Symptoms may last several weeks and can include high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness, numbness, coma and paralysis. In rare cases, West Nile neuroinvasive disease may result in death.

In 2023, Louisiana experienced 65 West Nile cases, including 46 neuroinvasive disease cases and four deaths. Last year’s cases occurred throughout the state, with multiple regions reporting their highest case counts in years.

Tips to protect yourself against mosquitoes

• Wear EPA-registered mosquito repellent outside and always follow product label instructions.
• Apply repellent on exposed skin and clothing, but do not apply under your clothes or on broken skin.
• If you will be outside for an extended period, consider a travel-size container of repellent that can easily be carried with you.
• If you wear sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
• To protect yourself from being exposed to mosquitoes indoors, ensure windows and doors are tight-fitting and that all screens are free of holes.

Protecting your home from mosquitoes

• Reduce the mosquito population by eliminating standing water around your home, where mosquitoes breed.
• Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys or anything that could collect water.
• Try to quickly discard or store any unnecessary containers around your property to reduce the chances of water accumulating.
• Check and clean roof gutters routinely. Clogged gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Water gardens and ornamental pools can become major mosquito producers if allowed to stagnate. Take steps to prevent stagnation, such as adding fish or aeration.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool left untended for as little as a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.