West Nile Virus

We're nearing the peak season for West Nile transmission.

Department of Health and Hospitals State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard recently spoke about the disease on "Your Afternoon Drive Home."

The Department of Health and Hospitals says the new cases bring this year's total to 39.

In an effort to address floodwater species mosquitoes concentrated in the Lydia area, the Iberia Parish Mosquito Abatement District will conduct aerial operations on Wednesday evening.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State health regulators say Louisiana has recorded its first West Nile virus death of the year.

The Iberia Parish Mosquito Control District has submitted mosquito samples that detect West Nile Virus.

Before this week, there was only one human case of West Nile Virus. But seven human cases have been added since then.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoul Ratard says they "expect maybe a fairly low season" after the lack of activity they have seen so far.

State health officials say Louisiana is on pace for having a record low year for confirmed human West Nile virus cases.

Another season for the West Nile Virus is set to begin in Louisiana.

Rising water on the Mississippi River and the flooding of the spillways will create ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.