July 30, 2021 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board Reports West Nile-Infected Mosquitoes in Orleans Parish
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (NOMTRCB) reports that mosquitoes collected from the East Bank of Orleans Parish tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this week.
WNV cycles between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. No human cases of WNV in Orleans Parish have been reported.
NOMTRCB is urging people to protect themselves from mosquito bites and empty water filled containers around the home to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites. Truck applications will be conducted this evening to target Culex quinquefasciatus, the “Southern house mosquito,” the primary vector of West Nile virus in our region. Treatment will be conducted in the area bounded by Harrison Avenue, Wisner Boulevard, Lakeshore Drive and West End Boulevard. Treatments will take place from 8:15 p.m. to 11 p.m., weather permitting.
While the majority of West Nile virus infections are asymptomatic, the common symptoms of West Nile fever include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. In rare cases, the virus can cause serious symptoms, especially for those above 65 years old and older or in people that are immunocompromised.
NOMTRCB asks residents of New Orleans to protect themselves from the West Nile virus by avoiding mosquito bites. Mosquito bites can be avoided by limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, using EPA-approved insect repellents, reducing the number of mosquitoes around the home and mosquito-proofing their homes by maintaining screens on windows and doors.
Given the large amount of rain this summer, it is important for residents to continue removing standing water by emptying containers and changing water every week in containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, sugar kettles, pools and ponds. It takes seven days for mosquitoes to grow from an egg to an adult, making it important to check your yard every week. Remove trash and clutter including tires, buckets, tarps and any other items that could collect water. Make sure swimming pools and fountains are working and water is circulating.
For more information regarding the 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
- Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
- Use air-conditioning and make sure window and door screens do not have holes to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside.
- If outside for long periods of time, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use insect repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients including DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.
- When using insect repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label.
Protecting Your Home
- Eliminate standing water around your home.
- Remove trash and clutter and 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 side of the containers with soap and a sponge to remove any eggs.
- 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 they collect leaf litter, providing an ideal breeding habitat for mosquito larvae.
- Tires are easily filled with rainwater and collect leaves and litter, providing ideal breeding conditions for mosquito larvae. Removal of scrap tires will eliminate a prolific mosquito habitat.
- Residents can call 311 to request a bulk waste pickup of up to four tires. Tires should be stacked curbside next to City-issued trash containers.
- Tires in front of abandoned lots, unoccupied properties, or businesses are ineligible for pick up and will not be collected. This issue is currently being addressed through City-coordinated, cooperative efforts towards treatment and removal
Follow NOMTRCB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @nolamosquito.
Residents are encouraged to contact NOMTCB with any other questions or concerns regarding mosquitoes at (504) 658-2400 or mosquitocontrol@nola.gov.
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