Six more West Nile virus cases have been confirmed in Louisiana this week.  

The Department of Health and Hospitals says three of those new cases were the most serious neuroinvasive disease and all three of them were here in Caddo Parish.  There were two cases of West Nile fever -- one of them in Caddo and the other in Livingston. And there was one asymptomatic case in East Baton Rouge Parish.  The total number of West Nile virus cases confirmed this year in Louisiana is fifteen and Caddo has recorded the only West Nile death so far this year.

Because the virus is spread by mosquitoes, state health officials urge everybody to take precautions when working or doing other things outdoors.  One of the easier things we can all do is to dump standing water from containers around our homes and businesses because that's where mosquitoes breed.  Another thing we can all do is to wear mosquito repellent containing DEET.  If used on children, repellent should contain no more than 30% DEET and it should never be used on children younger than 2 months.  Also, if you're going to be outdoors for long periods of time, you should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and avoid perfumes and colognes.

More information is available at:  www.dhh.louisiana.gov/fightthebite

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