One death, 15 new cases of West Nile in Louisiana LOUISIANA —
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals uncovered 15
new West Nile cases this week, and reports one death from the
disease. The State is experiencing its worst West Nile outbreak
in a decade this year, and health care providers continue
identifying new cases into the fall season. "Not only do we
continue to find more cases, this week, we have three parishes
reporting their first human cases of West Nile for the year,"
said DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. "Clearly, this virus
remains a threat, and it's important to protect your health and
avoid mosquito bites even as the weather gets colder and drier."
Humans contract West Nile when they are bitten by mosquitoes
infected with the virus. When people are infected with West
Nile, the virus will affect them one of three ways. West Nile
neuroinvasive disease is the most serious type, infecting the
brain and spinal cord. Neuroinvasive disease can lead to death,
paralysis and brain damage. The