 Friday, October 3, 2025
Louisville Metro health officials alert public
to rise in West Nile virus cases
 The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is alerting the community to a concerning increase in West Nile virus (WNV) infections in Jefferson County. To date, nine residents have been confirmed to have contracted the virus, with seven requiring hospitalization. All individuals affected have been adults between the ages of 40 and 70. No deaths have been reported in Jefferson County related to WNV this year.
Jefferson County West Nile virus case data:
- 2025 to date - 9
- 2024 - 1
- 2023 - 7
- 2022 - 3
- 2021 - 1
- 2020 - 0
- 2019 - 2
- 2018 - 5
- 2017 - 2
- 2016 - 2
- 2015 - 0
“We are seeing a higher-than-usual number of West Nile virus cases this season, and we urge residents to take mosquito prevention seriously,” said Connie Mendel, chief health strategist for LMPHW. “Assume mosquitoes are carrying West Nile virus no matter what ZIP code you live in. Please take precautions to avoid being bitten.”
Dr. Kris Bryant, pediatric infectious disease specialist and associate medical director for LMPHW, noted that in most instances people infected with WNV either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. 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,” Dr. Bryant added. “However, people 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.”
Prevent mosquito bites: Protect yourself and your family
Health officials recommend the following steps to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses:
- Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity (dawn and dusk).
- Eliminate standing water around your home—check flowerpots, gutters, pool covers, pet dishes, birdbaths, and discarded tires.
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
- Report mosquito problems to Metro311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.
LMPHW operates throughout the year to manage mosquito populations. This includes the application of larvicide in thousands of storm water basins as well as in wet wooded areas, swampy regions, frequently flooded areas, drainage easements, rights-of-way, and vacant properties. LMPHW’s mosquito control team also continues to conduct mosquito surveillance, misting and fogging operations in affected neighborhoods. Residents can check the fogging schedule and learn more about mosquito control efforts by visiting LMPHW’s Mosquito Fogging webpage or calling the mosquito fogging hotline at 502-574-6641.
Mosquito prevention resources
- Learn more about mosquito fogging by watching this video.
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Watch this video to learn how to reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home.
- To check if your area will be fogged, visit the department’s website or call the mosquito fogging hotline, 502-574-6641.
- To make a complaint about mosquitos in your neighborhood call Metro311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.
Kentucky WIC will maintain its regular
operations until further notice
 Kentucky WIC participants should continue to use their WIC cards to purchase WIC foods. WIC-approved stores will continue to be able to process purchases. Families are encouraged to keep their WIC appointments and stay in contact with their local WIC clinics.
Kentucky WIC is in frequent contact with our federal partners at U.S. Department of Agriculture. WIC is monitoring the situation closely and are doing everything to ensure continued services to Kentucky's families.
Kentucky WIC will provide as much notice of potential impact as possible to participants, local WIC agencies, authorized WIC vendors and partners as more information becomes available.
For more information about WIC, please visit our website.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month:
Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera
 Since July 2024, Dr. Patricia Bautista-Cervera, MD, MPH, has been chair of the Louisville Metro Board of Health. She was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and received her medical degree from the National Autonomous University (UNAM) School of Medicine in Mexico.
Dr. Bautista-Cervera trained as a pediatrician and a pediatric allergist at the National Institute of Pediatrics (INP) in Mexico City. In 2018, she earned a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion from the University of Louisville.
In 2019, she started working with La Casita Center, a unique organization in Kentucky that enhances the well-being of Louisville’s Latinx community through education, empowerment, advocacy, and wellness. Her role as a Health Empowerment Coordinator includes health promotion and disease prevention activities and advocacy.
For more information about our Board of Health Chair, Dr. Bautista-Cervera, please visit our website.
CycLOUvia is on a roll again on Bardstown Road
 CycLOUvia will return from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12 on Bardstown Road. A section of Bardstown Road, specifically from Grinstead Drive to Douglass Loop, will be closed to motor vehicles, allowing for activities such as walking, biking, skating, and playing.
CycLOUvia is an annual event that transforms some of our most popular streets into car-free zones -- encouraging healthy activity that supports local businesses and gives neighbors a new way to connect and experience their city.
The free event is organized by the Louisville Metro Department of Transportation and showcases how our roads can be shared in creative, safe ways.
Visit CycLOUvia's webpage to learn more information.
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