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Dec 09, 2023

Mayors Office

July 14, 2023 | From City of New Orleans NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) today reported that mosquitoes collected this week in Orleans Parish tested

July 14, 2023 | From City of New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) today reported that mosquitoes collected this week in Orleans Parish tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE).

WNV and EEE cycles between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. Positive mosquito samples from surveillance traps indicate virus activity in mosquitoes. No human cases have been reported in Orleans parish. While most human West Nile and EEE infections are asymptomatic, common symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. In rare cases, severe illness can occur. Individuals over the age of 60, immunocompromised populations and those with certain medical conditions are at greater risk of severe illness.

NOMTRCB will conduct adulticide and larvicide treatments by truck tonight, July 14, from 8:15 p.m. to 12 a.m., weather permitting. Larvicide treatments target mosquito larvae in containers and other standing water habitats where mosquitoes breed before they emerge as adults. Adulticide treatments target adult flying mosquitoes. Adulticide applications this evening will target adult populations of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus, the primary vector of WNV and EEE in Orleans Parish. Treatments will take place in the following areas:

NOMTRCB will continue to inspect and larvicide all standing water sites around the affected areas today and asks that residents protect themselves from mosquito bites by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn. Prevent mosquitoes in the homes by maintaining window screens and sit in the airstream of A/C or fans if possible. If outside for long periods of time, especially at night, use insect repellents containing CDC-approved active ingredients, such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. When using insect repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label. In the summer, mosquitoes develop from eggs to adults in as few as seven days.

Residents should conduct weekly inspections of the home and yard and empty water-filled containers to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Change water once a week in containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, kiddie pools, water barrels and pet bowls. Remove trash and clutter, including tires, buckets, tarps and any other items that can collect water. Make sure swimming pools and fountains are functioning and that water is circulating.

To report standing water, unkept swimming pools, dumped tires, or other mosquito-related issues, please contact us through one (1) of the following methods:

SAFETY TIPS

Protecting Yourself

Protecting Your Home

Report Tires

For more information on WNV, visit the CDC website:

www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

For more information on EEE, visit the CDC website:

www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/index.html

For information on guidelines followed by NOMTRCB for integrated pest management, visit the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association (LMCA) website:

www.mosquito.org/page/training

For pest management tips, abatement announcements, spray maps and general information, follow NOMTRCB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @nolamosquito.

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