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LDH News

• October 17, 2014

  Two New Cases of West Nile Virus Reported in Louisiana, No New Deaths

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced two (2) new cases of West Nile virus this week, but no new deaths. While news of the Ebola virus has dominated national and local press in recent weeks, health care officials are urging Louisiana residents to pay close attention to West Nile virus and take the simple steps necessary to help prevent contracting it. Including the new cases from this week, there have been 130 cases of West Nile in Louisiana this year with six (6) of those resulting in death. Both of this week's new cases presented with fever.

• October 17, 2014

  DHH Submits Revised and Executed Hospital Partnership Agreements to CMS

  Earlier this year, DHH submitted to CMS a revised state plan amendment (SPA) in response to an earlier denial by CMS of pending SPAs that governed payments to the public-private partnerships. DHH worked diligently to craft a new reimbursement methodology that addressed concerns raised by the federal agency.

• October 16, 2014

  State Medicaid Paying for New Services for Louisiana Residents Fighting Cancer

  Baton Rouge, La. -- The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced it is paying for two new services for Louisiana Medicaid recipients battling cancer to help improve health outcomes. As of July 1, 2014, Louisiana's Medicaid program began reimbursing for a genetic screening called Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay for Louisiana women diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer and custom-fit compression garments for individuals who have undergone certain cancer treatments and are now experiencing the swelling symptoms caused by lymphedema.

• October 10, 2014

  State Urges Louisiana Caregivers to Take Special Precautions to Protect Loved Ones from West Nile Virus

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is asking caregivers in Louisiana to take extra precautions to protect their loved ones from contracting West Nile virus. Individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to be impacted more severely by this virus that has impacted at least 128 individuals so far this year. This week, the Department is reporting one (1) death, and five new cases, three of which caused neuroinvasive disease.

• October 08, 2014

  State urges Louisiana residents to Vaccinate Pets for Rabies

  Baton Rouge, La.-(October 7, 2014) - The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) has been notified by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) that a case of rabies has been confirmed in a dog in the West Monroe area. DHH officials also confirmed a cat in Washington Parish was reported positive for rabies in September and that a dog was reported in Lafayette Parish in January.

• October 01, 2014

  IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Employment For People With Disabilities Is A Priority for Louisiana

  On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, individuals with disabilities, employers and advocates gathered on the Capitol steps to call attention to the importance of employment for people with disabilities and the beginning of Louisiana's observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

• September 26, 2014

  DHH Reminds Residents to Fight the Bite this Weekend; 15 New Cases of West Nile Virus

  This week, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed 15 new cases of West Nile virus, of which five were neuroinvasive disease infections, bringing this year's total to 118 reported infections. There were no new deaths reported this week.

• September 19, 2014

  Health Officials Confirm 11 New West Nile Virus Infections, Including One Death; 103 Total Cases This Year

  DHH issues a weekly Arbovirus Surveillance Report that details cases detected thus far by parish. This week's new infections include seven neuroinvasive disease cases in Ascension (1), LaFourche (3), Pointe Coupee (1), Terrebonne (1) and Washington (1) parishes. There were two new cases of West Nile fever; Jefferson Davis (1), Livingston (1) parishes, and two new asymptomatic cases in East Baton Rouge (1) and Ascension (1) parishes.

• September 17, 2014

  Joint Statement from LDH and the CDC Regarding Illness of Cargo Ship Crew Member

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed a positive test result this evening for malaria in the patient being treated at a New Orleans-area hospital. DHH shared this information with CDC and local officials.

• September 16, 2014

  Simple Steps Can Help Prevent the Spread of Enterovirus D68

  The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed two cases of the Enterovirus D68 in the Capital Area today. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of many enteroviruses that are very common in the United States and typically flare up in the fall months. Since children are the most susceptible to contracting EV-D68, DHH is encouraging parents to take simple steps to help prevent the spread of EV-D68, such as encouraging children to wash their hands, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid sharing food or drink with people who are sick.

• September 12, 2014

  DHH Testing Confirms Presence of Naegleria Fowleri Ameba in Ebarb Water District 1 Aimwell Area

  Today, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced that its testing confirmed the presence of the Naegleria fowleri ameba in the Ebarb Water District 1 Aimwell Area located in Sabine Parish. This water system serves 5,529 people. There are no known cases of illness related to the ameba in Sabine Parish or elsewhere in the state currently.

• September 12, 2014

  Health Officials Confirm 12 New West Nile Virus Infections; 92 Total Cases This Year

  This week, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed 12 new cases of West Nile virus, of which three were neuroinvasive disease infections, bringing this year's total to 92 reported infections.