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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana has confirmed 10 new cases of West Nile virus.
Seven of the new cases were neuroinvasive disease infections — the most serious type of the virus, infecting the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to death, paralysis and brain damage.
The cases confirmed Friday bring this year's total number to 52.
The Department of Health and Hospitals said the new infections include five neuroinvasive disease cases in East Baton Rouge Parish and one each in Ascension and Ouachita parishes. There also were three asymptomatic cases in the state, two in Caddo and one in Pointe Coupee.
Last year, Louisiana saw 34 neuroinvasive disease cases, down from 2002's high of 204
Dr. Raoult Ratard, state epidemiologist, urges residents to do what they must to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
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