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NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) reports that mosquitoes collected from the East Bank of Orleans Parish tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV cycles between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Orleans Parish this year.
NOMTRCB will conduct adult mosquito abatement tonight in a select area of the East Bank of New Orleans. The treatment area will be bounded by Broadway Street, St. Charles Avenue, MLK Boulevard, S. Broad Avenue and Fontainebleau Drive. Treatment will be conducted by truck from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting.
NOMTRCB urges residents of New Orleans to protect themselves from biting mosquitoes and West Nile virus by avoiding mosquito bites. These actions include limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, using EPA-approved insect repellents, reducing the number of mosquitoes around the home, and mosquito-proofing your home by maintaining screens on windows and doors. We are also urging people to empty water-filled containers around the home and yard to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites.
It is imperative for residents to remain vigilant in removing standing water by emptying containers. Water in containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, sugar kettles, pools, and ponds, should be changed weekly. At this time of the year, mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult within 7-10 days, highlighting the importance of checking your property for standing water on a weekly basis. Remove trash and clutter, including discarded tires, buckets, tarps and any other items that may collect water. Swimming pools and fountains should be operational and circulating. A mosquito can lay eggs and develop in a space as small as a bottle cap, so every container counts.
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.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants while outside.
- 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.
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 side of the containers each week to remove any 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
Tires are easily filled with rain water and collect leaves and litter which provides ideal breeding sites for mosquito larvae. Eliminating scrap tire dumps will eliminate a prolific mosquito habitat.
- Residents can place up to four tires weekly, stacked curbside next to their city issued trash containers, on the second collection day of the week if they live outside the French Quarter/DDD. Residences inside of the French Quarter/DDD, can place tires curbside on Wednesdays. Call 311 to arrange for pick up.
- Tires in front of abandoned lots, unoccupied properties or businesses are ineligible for pick up and will not be collected
Call 311 to report mosquito issues.
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