Latest news with #St.LouisEncephalitis
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Nile Virus detected in New Orleans mosquitoes, city expands control measures
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The city of New Orleans has detected West Nile virus in mosquito populations across multiple neighborhoods, prompting an increase in spraying and public health outreach as mosquito season hits its peak. No human cases have been reported so far, but officials say the presence of the virus in local mosquito traps is a clear warning sign. 'We are collecting mosquitoes every Monday and Tuesday,' said Claudia Riegel, Director of the City's Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board. 'We're monitoring which species are present and whether they're carrying any viruses that could impact our residents or even their pets.' City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish School Board back in court involving $90M negotiation In response, mosquito control crews are actively treating neighborhoods by both truck and helicopter, using a combination of larvicide and adulticide to disrupt breeding and reduce adult mosquito populations. The city currently maintains 89 trap locations, where mosquito samples are tested weekly for West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis. Officials stress that even small amounts of standing water, inside trash bins, tires, clogged gutters or yard debris can serve as mosquito breeding grounds. 'We want to make sure that when people put debris out, they bag it tightly so no water collects inside,' said Matt Torri with the city's Department of Sanitation. Health officials also caution that while most people infected with West Nile won't experience symptoms, a small percentage can become seriously ill. 'Roughly four out of five people will have no symptoms at all,' said Meredith McInturff with the New Orleans Health Department. 'But for the unlucky one in five, symptoms can include fever, fatigue and respiratory issues that last for several days or even weeks.' The city recommends using EPA and CDC approved mosquito repellents, emptying containers that hold water and keeping yards clear of debris. Residents can report mosquito problems or request tire pickup and additional trash bins by calling mother suspects foul play in daughter's Riverwalk death West Nile Virus detected in New Orleans mosquitoes, city expands control measures Two killed in Jefferson Parish car crash Hardline House conservatives swing for fences in asks to Senate GOP on megabill Start times for Men's College World Series revealed Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Conneaut health department studying mosquitos
CONNEAUT — The Conneaut Health Department will start studying the city's mosquito population next week. Conneaut Health Commissioner Nichele Blood said the health department wants to catch mosquitos around the city. 'We set a trap up and it will catch mosquitos for us,' she said. The mosquitos will then be taken to the health department office and frozen for a day, before being sent to an Ohio Department of Health lab for study. Blood said they are primarily interested in learning what species of mosquitos reside in the Conneaut area, and if they carry West Nile Virus. Blood said there have not been any recorded cases of the disease in northeast Ohio recently. According to the ODH website, there have been no cases of the disease in people or mosquitos surveilled across the state so far this year. Blood said the Conneaut Health Department is also monitoring for other mosquito-borne illnesses, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, La Crosse virus, malaria, zika and yellow fever. 'Most are not common,' she said. The program is being paid for by part of a $8,150 grant the health department received from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The CHD used $5,600 to fund a tire collection at the Conneaut Spring Clean-Up last weekend. Blood said the rest of the grant money is going toward funding the mosquito surveillance and promoting mosquito awareness in Conneaut. Blood said mosquitos thrive in areas where there is standing water, especially unused tires. Blood recommended people take care of items that contain standing water on their properties, including tires, bird baths and toys left outside. People should also make sure to fix screen doors so mosquitos do not get indoors, and make sure to wear mosquito repellent. The CHD will be providing mosquito spray to the public and sending out flyers spreading awareness, Blood said.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kern Public Health names June ‘Vector-borne Disease Month'
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — As we head into the summer season, the heat isn't the only issue that Kern County has to deal with. On Wednesday morning, Kern County Public Health launched June as 'Vector-Borne Disease Month,' part of their year-long disease fighters initiative. The health department joined Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District for an open house to discuss awareness and prevention. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like 'West Nile virus' and 'St. Louis Encephalitis'. Woman arrested after multi-agency pursuit ends with car in orchard Health officials want to remind the public that preventing mosquitoes from breeding and avoiding mosquito bites are the best ways to avoid getting these diseases. 'They can start right at their homes, they can do weekly walkarounds around their yards…make sure there's no standing water,' said Jay Thao, District Manager with Delano Mosquito Abatement District. 'Mosquitos breed in standing water. So any man-made container that can hold water for a week can produce mosquitos. People can just check their yards and tip and toss any standing water.' Although most residents who contract these diseases will show no serious symptoms, a small portion of people can experience serious health complications. You can learn more at the health department's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
