Louisiana Records Second West Nile Death

Louisiana has recorded its second West Nile virus death this year.  The Department of Health and Hospitals confirmed the death this week in Ouachita Parish.  

The first West Nile death this year was confirmed last month in Rapides Parish.

DHH has confirmed six new West Nile virus cases this week in addition to the one death, bringing this year's' total number of cases to 45.  There were four new cases of the most serious neuroinvasive disease -- three of them on Ouachita Parish and one in Lafayette Parish.  There were also two new cases of West Nile fever -- one each in St. Landry and St. Martin Parishes.

West Nile is spread by mosquitoes, so state health officials continue to caution Louisiana residents to do everything they can to protect themselves from mosquitoes -- especially around dusk every day -- and to do everything they can to remove any standing water where mosquitoes can breed around their homes and businesses.  You can learn much more about West Nile at www.dhh.louisiana.gov/fightthebite