3 New Cases Of West Nile Virus In Louisiana

There are three new cases of West Nile virus according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

DHH reports each of three new cases are the flu-like West Nile fever type of cases.

A new case was reported in each of the following parishes: Lafayette, Ascension and Ouachita.  This year's total now stands at 58 cases.

DHH reports that while most people never have symptoms, about 10 percent of people who get bitten by a mosquito and get West Nile will get a fever.  Some of those individuals will get infections in the brain or spinal cord.

Infections of the brain and spinal cord can lead to brain damage, paralysis and death.

Louisiana has had 34 cases of the neuroinvasive form of the virus and four of those people have died this year.

Even though the weather has turned cooler, the DHH says that doesn't offer protection from mosquito bites.  They remind people to take as many precautions as possible to avoid mosquito bites.

They suggest using insect repellent with Deet, emptying any standing water from your property, and wearing long sleeves and pants.