The West Nile Virus is a continuing issue of concern across the U.S. Since Louisiana began monitoring the spread of West Nile in 2000, the state has reported significant numbers of cases to the Center for Disease Control. Last year, the state reported 171 human cases with 11 fatalities-the sixth highest record in the nation. As of June 13, 2006, no animal or human has contracted the virus in Louisiana, according to the Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/Mapsactivity/surv&control06Maps.htm. However, health officials continue to warn citizens that just one mosquito bite can transmit the disease. Therefore, be vigilant in protecting yourself and your family this summer.

Know the Symptoms
The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. However, the risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old or who have an organ transplant. Most children who get the virus will have only a mild illness. Still, it's possible for children to get very sick. Children with weak immune systems or who already have a serious illness are most at risk of becoming very sick. It is important to remember that people of all ages and conditions may be affected. About 80 percent of most human infections cause no symptoms, and 20 percent cause flu-like symptoms. People with mild infections may experience fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands, this is called West Nile Fever. People with more severe infections may experience high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, and paralysis, this is called West Nile Encephalitis. Severe cases may be fatal. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Know prevention methods
Health experts from the Southern University Ag Center and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Community Health (http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=282) suggests the following tips for preventing the spread of West Nile Virus:

• Try to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.
• Be aware that mosquitoes are often biting at dawn and dusk.
• When outdoors, wear a mosquito repellent containing 20%-30% DEET for adults and no more than 10% for children. Do not use repellent containing DEET on children under 3 years of age. Follow the label's instructions carefully, especially when applying to children. Wash all skin and clothing when returning indoors in order to remove insect repellent. Do not spray repellant in enclosed areas.
• Only adults should apply repellent on children.
• Spray repellent on your hands and then apply to your face.
• Only apply repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
• Do not use repellent under clothing.
• Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
• Do not apply repellent over cuts, wounds, sunburn, or irritated skin.
• Wear protective clothing when possible: light-colored clothing with long sleeves and cuffs, long pants tucked into socks or shoes, and hats are recommended.
• Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.
• Use barriers like mosquito nets or screens for baby strollers.

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have collected on your property.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires. Stagnant water in tires are where many mosquitoes breed.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. Stagnant water in a wading pool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths. Both provide breeding habitats for domestic mosquitoes.
• Ventilate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use.
• * Be diligent about the small breeding sites around your house will be most effective. Smaller containers will produce many more mosquitoes than a pool will, Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.

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For more information contact the Center for Disease Control West Nile Virus Hotline at (888) 246-2675 or Shantell Smith Jones, MPA, MHA, health specialist, Southern University Ag Center (225) 771-2242 ext. 326, shantell_jones@suagcenter.com