Rain halts mosquito spraying here

Residents of Patterson can expect increased spraying for mosquitos from Cajun Mosquito Control after the Louisiana State University Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab confirmed a positive West Nile chicken within the city limits. Cajun Mosquito Control LLC,
hired for mosquito control in Patterson, will follow the Center of Disease Control and Prevention Expanded Transmission Protocol for the area, owner Jessie Boudreaux said.
“We will continue to do increased spraying until lab results come back negative to ensure that West Nile is no longer in the area,” Boudreaux said. “We will continue the increased spraying probably through the end of December.”
Boudreaux said that LSU conducts testing for West Nile once a week and that his company uses the results from the testing due to its level of accuracy and validity.
“May through November is when the virus is most active,” said Boudreaux. “The activity just depends on the birds and the mosquitos.”
Boudreaux said that spraying for mosquitos has been halted for the past week due to Hurricane Harvey. But rainfall or the high tide can increase breeding until another cold front comes in. Spraying will continue once the rain stops.
“Floodwater mosquitos are coming in from the marshes of St. Mary Parish,” said Boudreaux. According to the CDC, the West Nile virus is an arthropod-borne virus most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes. West Nile virus can cause febrile illness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). Most people who become infected with West Nile do not develop any symptoms. However, some people do develop febrile illness, which can produce fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. A few people might develop severe symptoms in which hospitalization is required. Most people with West Nile recover completely but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks to months. The CDC said that West Nile virus has been recorded in all states in the continental United States and Canada. West Nile is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird, human or other animal. Boudreaux said positive test for West Nile have been found in St. Mary, Iberia, St. Martin and Lafayette parishes. He said people should stay inside when mosquitos are most active, around dusk or dawn, but if a person must go outside, he or she should wear long sleeves and long pants with repellant. “It is always good to be proactive and start a regular preventative routine. Wear bug repellant, drain bird baths, remove any standing water around the house, empty pet water bowls and rain gutters,” said Boudreaux. For more information on tips and prevention, visit Cajun Mosquito Control’s website at cajunmosquitocontrol.com or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.