St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement has collected mosquitoes that have tested positive for infection with West Nile virus.
The Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL), at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, reported one positive pool of mosquitoes, or infected mosquitoes, collected from a trap in the City of Covington.
The presence of WNV in mosquitoes indicates an elevated risk to people in the area. Residents can expect to see increased mosquito abatement efforts, including daytime larviciding of roadside septic ditches and nighttime mosquito spraying with trucks, airplane, or helicopter. The area was treated by truck on the evening of Monday, June 28. This evening, weather permitting, the area will be treated with a truck larvicide spray treatment to reduce mosquito larvae in the area.
Due to the large amount of rainfall the region has received recently with Tropical Storm Claudette, coastal areas across eastern St. Tammany Parish are experiencing a population explosion in freshwater mosquitoes, particularly in Avery Estates area.
They ask residents to do their part to reduce their risk of contracting WNV by avoiding or minimizing exposure to biting mosquitoes by 1) wearing CDC recommended mosquito repellent; 2) avoiding peak biting times such as one hour before and after dusk and dawn; 3) wearing long sleeve shirts and pants, and 4) maintaining septic systems, as the WNV vector is sewage-associated. Once a week, residents should also walk around their homes to dump and drain any standing water.
Residents who would like to be notified in advance of an aerial or truck treatment can register at www.stpmad.org to receive an automated message, by phone or text, when their zone is going to be treated.
For additional information, please call St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement office (985) 643-5050.
