West Nile precautions advised

Twenty human cases of the West Nile virus in the state have been confirmed by the Department of Health and Hospitals. There have been no reported cases in St. Mary Parish.
This information, combined with recent West Nile virus positive mosquitoes and sentinel chickens, has raised concerns and warranted a public press release statement and reminder to avoid mosquitoes whenever possible.
Residents and business owners of Franklin, Patterson and Cypremort Point are being asked to take the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites and drain any standing water on their property.
Health officials characterize West Nile infections three ways: neuroinvasive disease, West Nile fever and asymptomatic symptoms.
A neuroinvasive illness is caused by West Nile virus attacking the brain or spinal cord. In older individuals with weakened immune systems, it can be very severe and could result in brain damage, paralysis or even death. West Nile fever is less severe, with most people only suffering mild, flu-like symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals were never ill and only discovered to have the West Nile virus in their blood when some type of blood work was performed such as, a blood donation.
About 90 percent of all cases are asymptomatic, while about 10 percent will develop West Nile fever. Only a very small number, (1 in 150) of infected individuals will show the serious symptoms associated with the neuroinvasive form of West Nile virus.
Residents who are 65 years old and older and individuals with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for complications, but anyone at all ages can be at risk for infection.
Safety Tips
—Avoid mosquitoes and their peak activity times of dusk and dawn.
—If you will be outside, you should wear a mosquito repellent containing DEET. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents should contain no more than 30 percent DEET when used on children. Insect repellents are not recommended for children younger than 2 months. CDC recommends that you always follow the recommendations appearing on the product label when using any repellent.
—Apply repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Do not apply under your clothes or on broken skin.
—To apply repellent to your face, spray on your hands and then rub on your face.
—Adults should always apply repellent to children.
—Wear long-sleeved light colored shirts and pants when outdoors for long periods of time.
—Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.
—Make sure that your house has tight-fitting windows and doors, and that all screens are free of holes.
Reducing Mosquito
Populations
You can help reduce mosquito populations by eliminating standing water around your home or business.
—Drain pet water bowls, ceramic pots, ice chest and any other container that may have stagnant water on your property. Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys or such items that could collect water.
—Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers. Drainage holes that are located on the container sides only can collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed.
—Check and clean roof gutters routinely. They are often overlooked, but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
—Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
—Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended by a family for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers. Something as small as a bottle cap may breed mosquitoes.
If anyone should have any questions, they can visit Cajun Mosquito Control website for useful information and also helpful links at cajunmosquitocontrol.com/