West Nile virus circulating on New Orleans’ east bank; spray missions scheduled Wednesday night

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - City officials say the dangerous West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected this week on the east bank of Orleans Parish.

The findings suggest the virus is circulating between infected mosquitoes and birds. It can be transmitted to rodents, other animals and humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board said a large-scale mosquito abatement spraying operation has been scheduled for Wednesday night, with trucks operating from 7:45 p.m.-midnight.

Spraying will take place in the following areas:

• English Turn and New Aurora bounded by River Road, the parish line and Woodland Highway
• Lakeview and West End bounded by Allen Toussaint Boulevard, I-610, Bellaire Drive and the Orleans Canal
• Lake Shore and Lake Vista bounded by Lakeshore Drive, Allen Toussaint Boulevard, Breakwater Drive and Beauregard Avenue
• City Park bounded by Allen Toussaint Boulevard, Zachary Taylor Drive, Marconi Drive and Bayou St. John
• City Park, Navarre, and Mid-City bounded by I-610, I-10, North Carrollton Avenue, and Wisner Boulevard
• Filmore bounded by Filmore Avenue, I-610, Bayou St. John, and Elysian Fields Avenue

West Nile and other mosquito-borne viruses are more active in the summer and early fall. While most human West Nile infections are asymptomatic, common symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. 

In rare cases, severe illness can occur. Individuals over age 60, those who are immunocompromised and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions are at greater risk of severe illness.

Citizens are encouraged to take protective measures to reduce exposure:

• Use repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow product instructions when using repellents.
• Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use air conditioning or sit in the air stream of a fan when possible.
• Ensure window and door screens are in good condition to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Dump standing water regularly to eliminate larval habitats around your property.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.

Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.