In response to the rising West Nile virus (WNV) activity detected in New Orleans, the City's Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board is gearing up for a night-time offensive against the pesky bloodsuckers. The adulticide spray mission, a tactical move to quash adult mosquito populations, is set for deployment from trucks between the twilight hours of 8:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., weather willing.
The target zones, as outlined by the city's statement, include several neighborhoods with Seventh Ward being bounded by I-610, Annette St., N. Claiborne Ave., Franklin Ave., Florida Ave., and the I-10, alongside Fairgrounds & Seventh Ward and Bayou St. John & Tremé/Lafitte areas. Vigilance is due to an uptick in WNV activity as found in both the East Bank and West Bank mosquito populations of Orleans Parish.
While no humans have caught the virus this year within Orleans Parish, neighboring regions haven't been so lucky, reporting confirmed cases. "These positive mosquito samples indicate that WNV is actively circulating among local mosquito and bird populations," said officials in noticing the issue as per the City of New Orleans website. The NOMTRCB routinely sets forth mosquito traps and carries out weekly tests for mosquito-borne diseases with the city currently parsing through this week’s capture.
Though most individuals who contract West Nile remain asymptomatic, some might experience symptoms ranging from headaches and joint pain to severe illness—especially impacting those over 60 or with weakened immune systems.
