Highlighted Facts

• Surveillance for WNV was initiated in Louisiana in the Spring 2000 and currently involves the testing of dead birds, live birds, sick horses, mosquito pools and sentinel chicken flocks.  With the exception of horse testing, WNV testing is performed at the request of individual mosquito abatement districts throughout the state. WNV is considered endemic or native to all parts of Louisiana, thus statewide dead bird reporting has been suspended.  Dead bird testing is now understood to be a poor predictor of human cases and its value is limited unless part of a more comprehensive mosquito surveillance program, as is conducted by local or parish mosquito abatement districts.
      
• Louisiana has four kinds of Encephalitis: West Nile Fever, Saint Louis, Eastern Equine and California Encephalitis.

What Can I Do? Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have collected on your property. Pay special attention to discarded tires. Stagnant water in tires is where many mosquitoes breed. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors. Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season. Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. Stagnant water in a wading pool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed. Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitats for domestic mosquitoes. Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use. Smaller containers will produce many more mosquitoes than a pool will, therefore being diligent about the small breeding sites around your house will be most effective. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers. Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.