June 04, 2025 LDH reminds residents to protect against West Nile virus

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jun 04, 2025 - The Louisiana Department of Health reminds residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites that could lead to vector-borne diseases, including West Nile virus.

Mosquito activity increases during the warmer summer months, which raises the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. 

West Nile virus

West Nile virus is spread to people by mosquitoes and can cause mild to severe illnesses. While most people infected with West Nile virus develop no symptoms, about 20% of infected people develop West Nile fever. West Nile fever is a flu-like illness with symptoms that can include fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, and rashes.

A small percentage of infected people develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a severe illness that affects the central nervous system and can result in hospitalization or even death. Symptoms can include high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness, numbness, coma, and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks and carry the risk of death or permanent damage.

West Nile virus has been actively transmitted throughout Louisiana since it was first detected in the state in 2002. In 2024, 38 cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease were identified in Louisiana, which resulted in three deaths. An additional 15 cases of West Nile fever and four cases of West Nile virus infection were also detected in asymptomatic blood donors. However, many individuals with mild to moderate symptoms may not seek care or be tested.

It is important to protect yourself from mosquito bites to prevent illness. People 55 years of age and older and people with certain medical conditions are at a greater risk for severe disease if they are infected. 

Travel-associated diseases

People who travel to other countries or U.S. territories should avoid mosquito bites to prevent mosquito-borne infections, such as malaria and dengue, while traveling. In 2024, 27 Louisianans contracted dengue while traveling.

Travel-associated cases can also potentially lead to disease transmission in Louisiana after sick travelers return home. The mosquitoes that spread these diseases from person to person are present in the state, and transmission is possible. While no locally-acquired dengue or malaria cases have been identified in Louisiana in recent history, local cases have recently occurred in nearby states, such as Florida and Texas. For this reason, Louisianans should take extra precautions against mosquito bites while traveling and after returning home.

Tips to protect yourself against mosquitoes

• Wear EPA-registered mosquito repellent outdoors and always follow label instructions.
• Apply repellent on exposed skin only. Do not apply under clothing or on broken skin.
• Carry a travel-size repellent if you will be outdoors for an extended period of time.
• Apply sunscreen first, insect repellent second, if you are also wearing sunscreen.
• Make sure windows are tight-fitting and screens are free of holes to keep mosquitoes out.

Tips to protect your home from mosquitoes

• Eliminate standing water around your home, which is where mosquitoes breed. 
• Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys, and anything that can collect standing water.
• Quickly discard or store any containers around your home to avoid accumulating water. Drill holes in standing containers to drain water quickly.
• Clean roof gutters routinely. Clogged gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes annually.
• Take steps to prevent water gardens and ornamental pools from stagnating (and becoming major mosquito producers), such as adding fish or aeration.
• Clean bird baths weekly, as changing the water keeps it from stagnating and becoming a breeding area for mosquitoes.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, especially if they go unused. Be aware that mosquitoes also breed in water accumulated on pool covers. 
• Install or repair window screens.

Visit the CDC’s Fight the Bite for more tips on preventing mosquito-borne diseases.