Friday, July 12, 2024
Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Jefferson County
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) has found mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in surveillance traps in the neighborhoods of Park DuValle, California and Old Louisville. To help prevent infection and reduce the mosquito population, mosquito fogging will take place this week, weather permitting, in ZIP codes 40208, 40210, and 40211.
So far this year, no confirmed human cases of West Nile have been reported in Jefferson County.
In most instances, people infected with West Nile virus either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. However, less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. Those over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants are at greater risk for serious illness.
Avoid mosquito bites
- Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. More information about insect repellents can be found here.
- When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don't apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
- Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours of early morning and dusk. Be sure to use repellent and wear protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Prevent mosquito breeding grounds.
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.
- Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and drain birdbaths on a regular basis.
To check if your area will be fogged visit the department’s website or call the mosquito hotline, 502-574-6641. To make a complaint about mosquitos in your neighborhood call Metro311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.
Mayor Greenberg announces health department leadership promotions
Mayor Craig Greenberg and Deputy Mayor for Public Health and Public Services Nicole George recently announced that Dr. Inder Singal will serve as executive director, and Connie Mendel will serve as chief health strategist with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW). Both have been serving as interim directors since the mayor appointed them in May 2023.
“LMPHW is essential to creating a safer, stronger and healthier Louisville,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Connie and Inder have already had significant accomplishments in their interim roles. They led the distribution of opioid settlement funds while serving as co-chairs on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Board. Because of their work distributing naloxone and connecting people with harm reduction services, treatment, and recovery, many lives in this community have been saved.”
The Mayor also noted both Mendel and Dr. Singal were instrumental in securing funding to expand the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the implementation of the new Lead Rental Registry ordinance.
Connie Mendel has devoted her career to public service, beginning in 1997 when she joined the Jefferson County Health Department as an environmental health specialist in the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response, Food Safety, and Mosquito Control programs. She steadily ascended the ranks and prior to her appointment by Mayor Greenberg served as Senior Deputy Director where she led the department’s administrative and finance operations, regulatory operations and enforcement, emergency planning and preparedness, and the Public Health Laboratory.
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Dr. Inder Singal, a retina specialist, has been practicing in Louisville since 2003. He is passionate about finding sustainable solutions to solve inequities in healthcare, education and affordable housing.
Singal is the founder and president of Adarsh Charitable Foundation. Established in 2018, its mission is to find sustainable solutions to alleviate preventable vision impairment and work with educational institutions to help bridge the education gap among minorities. Since its inception, the foundation has financially supported local education institutions and provided scholarships to students in Belize and Guatemala. He also serves on the strategy and planning committee at the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation.
For more information on LMPHW programs and services, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness.
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Plastic Free July helps support the city’s sustainability goals
The Office of Sustainability has launched Plastic Free July, a local celebration of a global initiative aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives.
During this month, the Office of Sustainability has been sharing tips, guides and success stories on social media to demonstrate how to be a part of the solution to plastic pollution. Those who participate are encouraged to refuse single-use plastics such as bottles, bags, straws, and packaging, opting instead for reusable or biodegradable options.
The production, use, and disposal of plastic causes significant health and environmental hazards. In response to this escalating concern, Louisville Metro Council passed a resolution in 2023 encouraging consumer education around reducing plastics. According to Louisville Metro Government’s (LMG) Waste Characterization Study (2018), 87,203 tons of plastic were collected from residential trash receptacles in one year, making up 14% of the total waste stream generated in the county.
Plastic Free July is an opportunity for Louisvillians to rethink their consumption habits and advocate for sustainable practices in their communities from their homes to businesses. These efforts aim to empower individuals to make lasting changes that benefit their health and environment – one plastic-free choice at a time.
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