The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) has found additional mosquito pools in Orleans Parish testing positive for the West Nile virus (WNV), as reported today. It is a reminder that the virus, often cycling between birds and mosquitoes, can make the leap to humans through mosquito bites, while no human cases have been confirmed within the parish this year, the presence of the virus in the state has been documented.
In response to these findings, the NOMTRCB announced it will be deploying adulticide spray missions to curb the mosquito population and combat the spread of the virus, these missions are scheduled for tonight, they will target areas where the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito—a primary vector of WNV—has been particularly active, with spraying set to happen between 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., weather permitting, notably affecting neighborhoods including Little Woods, Seabrook, and Plum Orchard.
Historically, Orleans Parish witnesses a customary spike in WNV activity during the steamy months of summer and autumn's commencement, and this year, an elevated number of mosquito samples have come back positive compared to prior years, continuous detection in various city regions has been marked over recent months, signifying the ongoing transmission among local mosquito and bird populations.
Most people afflicted with West Nile virus may not even realize it, as the infection often goes by without symptoms but symptoms do include headaches, body aches and sometimes more severe consequences, particularly for those over 60 or with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions who are at a heightened risk for severe illness. The NOMTRCB is pressing that residents take precautions such as utilizing insect repellents with EPA-approved active ingredients like DEET and limiting outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours—which are dusk and dawn.
Furthermore, the NOMTRCB has provided a set of guidelines to help residents shield their homes from mosquitoes, including the eradication of standing water where mosquitoes breed, ensuring that pools and fountains are operative and circulating, and maintaining window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering indoors.
