The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed another West Nile virus case this week, the 55th for 2015.
There have been 34 neuroinvasive disease (WN–NID) cases out of the 55 cases. Fourteen of the 55 have been asymptomatic, and seven were West Nile fever. As of today, there have been four deaths related to West Nile Virus for this year, which happened in DHH Regions 2, 4, 7 and 9.
Approximately 90 percent of West Nile virus cases are considered asymptomatic, and only 10 percent of those infected develop the full disease. A small percentage of these develop WN-NID, which swells the spinal cord or brain and can potentially cause brain damage or death. Regular West Nile virus fever is not as severe and shows flu-like symptoms.
“There should be a continued level of concern if you are outdoors or if your house is not adequately protected from mosquitoes,”
DHH State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry said. “Even though the weather is getting cooler, we should continue to protect ourselves against infections. West Nile virus cases have been reported as late in the year as December.”
