LDH confirms first human West Nile virus of season
Special to the American Press
The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed the state's first human case of West Nile virus of the mosquito season. This case was confirmed in an individual from Livingston Parish who was hospitalized due to complications from the infection.
About 1 in 150 people who are infected with West Nile develop a severe illness that can affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, which may even cause paralysis or death.
West Nile virus has been actively spreading throughout Louisiana since its first detection in the state in 2002. To date in 2025, West Nile activity has been confirmed in 14 parishes. In 2024, there were 57 confirmed human cases of West Nile in Louisiana, including three deaths.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Mosquitos with West Nile virus have been detected in Mississauga: city
West Nile virus has been detected in some mosquitos in Peel Region, according to a news release Friday from the City of Mississauga. Infected mosquitoes were detected near Airport and Derry roads in Mississauga. While the risk of contracting the virus is low, the city is urging residents to protect themselves and their property from mosquitos. "There is no vaccine or specific treatment for humans, making prevention essential," says the city's release. West Nile virus is transmitted to humans from the bites of infected mosquitos. Symptoms can take two to 14 days to develop and include fever, headache, nausea, skin rash and body aches. People over the age of 50 or with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for complications. Mississauga says residents can try the following recommendations to limit mosquito exposure: Stay inside during peak mosquito hours at dusk and dawn. Apply insect repellents with DEET or Icaridin. Wear light-coloured protective clothing, like long sleeves and a hat. Empty and scrub standing water sources, like birdbaths, where mosquitos breed. Ensure windows and door screens fit securely.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Mosquitoes on Hamilton Mountain test positive for West Nile virus
A cluster of mosquitoes trapped this week in Hamilton has tested positive for West Nile virus. The batch, found on the central Mountain, marks the first group of the buzzing insects to be found with the virus this year, according to a city media release. The discovery also prompted the medical officer of health to raise the city's risk level for the virus from low to moderate. 'In the warmer months, it is important to take precautions to avoid illnesses spread by insects, including West Nile virus and Lyme disease,' said Dr. Bart Harvey, associate medical officer of health, in a statement. To prevent getting bitten by the bloodsucking bugs, residents are reminded to protect themselves while outside and also remove standing water on their property to prevent mosquito breeding. For those who plan on spending time outdoors, Harvey advises residents to use insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin and wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing that covers both arms and legs. Residents should also ensure they are covered up and sprayed down if they plan on being in wooded areas, on the golf course or working in gardens at dusk or dawn, when the pests are most active. The city noted roughly 80 per cent of people infected with the virus will show no symptoms, but seniors and immunocompromised folks could experience fevers, headaches and body aches, as well as confusion, muscle weakness and sensitivity to light. Less than one per cent of people with the virus develop other serious illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis. Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Since 2019, at least 71 mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus, with the highest number recorded in 2023, with 29 infected batches, according to city data . In that same period, at least 15 Hamiltonians tested positive for the virus. There have been no animal or human cases so far this year. As part of the city's West Nile surveillance and prevention program, staff recently completed a second round of larvicide treatments on street catch basins. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville News Digest: Naperville Men's Amateur Championship winners announced; DuPage County reports first human case of West Nile virus
The winners of the Naperville Men's Amateur Championship, which featured 174 golfers divided into six flights based on handicaps, have been announced by the Naperville Park District. Held July 19 and 20 at the Springbrook and Naperbrook golf courses, the competition ultimately came down to the final few holes, director of golf Kevin Carlson said in a news release. Aman Shah, a Naperville resident, had the lowest gross score in the championship flight and was named the champion after winning a playoff on the second hole. Shah also won the event in 2023. Matt Arhontas, of Villa Park, the B-Flight winner, sunk a hole-in-one Sunday on hole 13 at Springbrook. The feat earned him a $750 gift certificate for golf merchandise, the release said. Other flight winners included Harland White, of Bolingbrook; Arturo Garza, of Naperville; William Fuggar, of Des Plaines; and Danny Chang, of Naperville. Registration is underway for the next golf tournament, the Springbrook Women's Invitational, which will take place Monday, Aug. 11. For information, go to The first human case of West Nile virus in DuPage County has been reported in Glen Ellyn, according to the DuPage County Health Department. A person in their 50s experienced virus symptoms in mid-July, a news release said. The virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who are infected do not develop symptoms but about 20% will report symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, the release said. Less than 1% develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis, the health department said. Residents are encouraged to protect themselves from mosquitoes, noting a rise in mosquito batches testing positive for West Nile virus in recent weeks. Naperville Park Board member Chris Jacks is running for a seat on the DuPage County Board, according to the DuPage County Republican Organization. Jacks is seeking a four-year term representing District 5, which includes parts of Naperville, Aurora, Lisle, Woodridge and Warrenville. District 5 has two open seats — one 2-year-term and one 4-year-term — in the 2026 election. In addition to the park board, he is also a member of Naperville's Historic Preservation Commission. A Naperville resident, Jacks is married with two children and holds a master's degree in business administration from Indiana University. He has worked in the information technology industry for 29 years and currently is a program manager, according to his park board biography. Jacks was elected to the park board in 2023; his term expires in 2027. The Naperville Police Department will hold a safety webinar for college-bound students and their parents at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Hosted by the department's crime prevention specialists, the program will combine drug and alcohol education with personal safety information, a news release said. Presenters will talk about the temptations and challenges often encountered by new college students to help them understand the potential legal, personal and academic consequences of their decisions, the release said. An emphasis will be placed on utilizing situational awareness and practicing responsible behavior to keep themselves and their property safe. The webinar is free and can be viewed at No registration is needed. It will be posted to the city's website after the event ends.
