The Louisiana Health Department has confirmed that 12 new cases of the West Nile virus have been reported over the past days, bringing the state's total number of infected patients up to 92. Out of that number, 41 are considered as neuroinvasive diseases. This is a significant increase from last years total of only 34. Health officials say that the neuroinvasive diseases precipitated by the West Nile virus could include conditions such as encephalitis, meningitis, or poliomyelitis, which are all dangerous complications that affect the nervous system. This week, three neuroinvasive infections were identified and all cases were from the East Baton Rouge Parish.
Patients with West Nile fever have also been identified by the health department in nearby parishes, including Caddo, Livingston, Orleans, St. Tammany, and Iberville. There is a total of 36 patients with the West Nile fever in the state, while an additional 15 cases were labeled as asymptomatic variations of the disease during the earlier parts of the year.
Health experts in this region say that many people continue to experience flulike symptoms but they often go untested for the virus. Similarly, asymptomatic cases of the West Nile virus are only discovered when people come in for routine blood tests for other reasons. Usually, there is a surge in the number of blood testing during blood drives and this is when health workers find out about the virus.
The state epidemiologist for Louisiana, Dr. Raoult Ratard, gave residents some useful tips that they can use to prevent the spread of the disease in a statement, saying that, "Mosquitoes are still biting, and that means we are still at risk of getting West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. If you are going to be outside this weekend, it is a good idea to protect yourself and your children with mosquito repellent. You can also fight the bite by wearing long sleeves and pants. Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Help reduce the mosquito population by dumping standing water from containers around your yard.