The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) reported on Tuesday that mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus (WNV) have been collected from the East Bank of Orleans Parish. While no human cases have been reported in Orleans Parish yet this year, NOMTRCB is urging residents to take precautions in order to protect themselves from the spread of WNV.
According to NOMTRCB, residents should limit their outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and use EPA-approved insect repellent when spending time outdoors. In addition, residents can mosquito-proof their homes by ensuring there are screens on windows and doors. Reducing the mosquito population around the home and yard by emptying water-filled containers in the area where mosquitoes breed can also help. Water in birdbaths, ponds, and sugar kettles should be changed weekly. Pools and fountains should be kept circulating. Because mosquitoes can lay eggs in areas as small as a bottle cap, it is important that residents ensure that their property is free of any trash or debris that could collect water.
NOMTRCB will conduct mosquito abatement tonight along 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 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
