New Orleans Mosquito, Termite And Rodent Control Board Reports West Nile Infected Mosquitoes In Orleans Parish

New Orleans LA

05 October, 2021

3:32 AM

Description

Press release from the City of New Orleans: October 1, 2021 NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) reports that mosquitoes collected this week from Orleans Parish tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). WNV cycles between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. One human case of WNV has been reported in Orleans Parish in 2021. Treatments will be conducted by truck tonight on the West Bank in the area bounded by Holiday Drive, General DeGaulle Drive, Patterson Road and the Intracoastal Waterway. East Bank treatments will be conducted in the areas bounded by I-610, the Parish Line, Lakeshore Drive and the Orleans Canal/Orleans Avenue. Treatments will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., weather permitting. Applications this evening will target the "Southern house mosquito" Culex quinquefasciatus, the primary vector of WNV in our region. NOMTRCB has been conducting vigorous post-storm surveillance and mosquito control activities beginning the day after the Hurricane Ida. Activities have included citywide inspection and treatment of standing water in tires, swales, construction zones and other flooded areas; area-wide larviciding by truck of numerous storm-impacted areas or those with poor drainage; city-wide adulticide applications by truck, covering all of Orleans Parish; and prompt responses to residential service requests through 311 calls and emails regarding tires, standing water, unkept swimming pools or high numbers of mosquitoes. In addition to normal, weekly city-wide collections and screening of mosquitoes for WNV activity, NOMTRCB also initiated special surveillance to monitor populations of newly-hatched floodwater, marsh and permanent-water nuisance mosquitoes resulting from storm surge and coastal flooding. Mosquito treatments are ongoing and performed as needed and based on surveillance data. We ask that residents remain vigilant in emptying water-filled containers around the home and yard to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Change water every week in containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths, sugar kettles, pools and ponds. It takes seven days for mosquitoes to grow from an egg to an adult, so it is important to inspect outdoor areas around the home every week. Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn. Use air-conditioning and make sure window and door screens do not have holes to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside. If outside for long periods of time, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. Use insect repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients, including DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. When using insect repellent, always follow the recommendations on the product label. Eliminate standing water around your home. Remove trash and clutter and dispose of discarded tires and containers that can hold water. Turn over wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children's toys or anything that could collect water. Change water weekly in containers that cannot be removed such as pet dishes or bird baths. Scrub the side of the containers with soap and a sponge to remove any eggs. Rain barrels and other water collection devices must be screened and collected water should be used within one week. Aerate ornamental pools, fountains and sugar kettles or stock them with fish. Report illegal dumping, water leaks and unattended swimming pools by calling 311. Call 311 or email [email protected] to report mosquito problems. Tires are easily filled with rainwater and collect leaves and litter, providing ideal breeding conditions for mosquito larvae. Removal of scrap tires will eliminate a prolific mosquito habitat. Residents can call 311 to request a bulk waste pickupof up to four tires. Tires should be stacked curbside next to City-issued trash containers. Tires in front of abandoned lots, unoccupied properties, or businesses are ineligible for pick up and will not be collected. This issue is currently being addressed through City-coordinated, cooperative efforts towards treatment and removal This press release was produced by the City of New Orleans. The views expressed here are the author's own.