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LDH News

• October 29, 2014

  Gov. Jindal and State Officials Ban New Synthetic Marijuana Compound

  Gov. Bobby Jindal and officials with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), and Louisiana State Police (LSP) announced the ban of a new synthetic marijuana compound called "MAB-CHMINACA" today. The designer drug, sold under names such as Mojo and Spice, has been associated with more than 125 residents seeking treatment at Baton Rouge-area hospitals since Oct. 3. The ban adds the full chemical compound N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide to the list of Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substances.

• October 22, 2014

  New Data Network Promises to Benefit Researchers

  As a participant of the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is providing researchers, health experts, and the public access to data about how the environment affects public health through a new, online data network for Environmental Public Health Tracking. This new resource is located at lepht.dhh.la.gov and is Louisiana's comprehensive source of environmental data related to public health. Louisiana was one of 25 states to receive competitive funding from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop such a network. In August, the CDC awarded DHH with continuation funding, equipping the Department to continue updating and enhancing the tool over the next three years.

• October 20, 2014

  DHH Announces Plan to Stop Billing Sexual Assault Victims for Exams and Tests

  Today, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) announced a plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. In order to stop billing victims, the plan streamlines the funding source through the Crime Victim's Reparation Board (CVRB). Through legislation, these changes will prevent direct billing of charges to the victim by allowing hospitals to bill the Crime Victim's Reparation Board directly.

• 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 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.

• 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

  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.

• September 05, 2014

  Health Officials Confirm Two New West Nile Virus Deaths

  This Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is urging everyone to Fight the Bite, and protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases. This comes as DHH confirms two new West Nile virus deaths this week, bringing this year's total to four West Nile virus deaths. The deaths are in Northwest Louisiana and the Capital Area Region. DHH is also reporting 19 new West Nile virus infections, of which six were neuroinvasive disease cases, bringing this year's total to 80 reported infections.