The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board reports the detection of West Nile virus
in Orleans Parish mosquitoes
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB)
reports the detection of West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquitoes collected from
Orleans Parish. No human WNV or Zika virus cases have been reported in Orleans
Parish. WNV cycles between wild birds
and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to people by the bite of an infected
mosquito.
While the majority of West
Nile virus infections are asymptomatic, the virus can cause serious symptoms,
especially for those ages 65 years and up or in people who are
immunocompromised.
Because of the detection of WNV activity in mosquitoes, The City is urging people to protect themselves from mosquitoes and remove containers that
can hold water from around the home to reduce potential mosquito breeding
sites. This week, the Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board will continue truck
and aerial spraying, apply larvicide to storm drains, remove standing water, and educate citizens through community outreach with the New Orleans Health
Department.
NOMTRCB urges residents of New Orleans to protect themselves
from West Nile virus by avoiding mosquito bites through limiting outdoor
activities between dusk and dawn, using EPA-approved repellents, reducing the
number of mosquitoes around the home and mosquito-proofing their homes by
maintaining screens on windows and doors.
It is imperative for residents to remain vigilant in removing
standing water by emptying containers and changing water at least weekly in containers
that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, sugar kettles, pools and ponds. Remove trash and clutter, including discarded
tires, buckets, tarps and any other items that could collect water. Make sure swimming
pools and fountains are operational and circulating.
For additional information regarding West
Nile virus, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's
website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/prevention.htm.
SAFETY TIPS
Protecting Yourself
- Reduce mosquito exposure by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
- Use air-conditioning and make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside.
- If outside for long periods of time, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- The CDC recommends using repellents containing EPA-registered, active ingredients including DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.
- When using repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label.
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Click here for more information on protecting yourself from West Nile virus
Protecting Your Home
- Eliminate standing water around your home, where mosquitoes breed.
- Remove trash and clutter; dispose of discarded tires and containers that can hold water. Turn over wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children's toys or anything that could collect water.
- Change water weekly in containers that cannot be removed, such as pet dishes or bird baths. Scrub the sides of the containers each we to remove the eggs that have been deposited.
- Rain barrels and other water collection devices must be screened, and collected water should be used within one week.
- Aerate ornamental pools, fountains and sugar kettles or stock them with fish.
- Report illegal dumping, water leaks and unattended swimming pools by calling 311.
- Call 311 or email mosquitocontrol@nola.gov to report mosquito problems.
Tires are easily
filled with water by rain and collect leaf litter, providing an ideal breeding
site for mosquito larvae. Eliminating scrap tire dumps will eliminate a
prolific mosquito habitat.
- Residents can place up to four tires weekly, stacked curbside along with their household trash.
- Tires in front of abandoned lots will not be collected; they must be moved in front of a residence with curbside collection.
- Residents can also bring up to four tires to the City’s Recycling Drop-off Center on the second Saturday of each month at 2829 Elysian Fields Ave. between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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