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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The state health department confirms 15 new cases of West Nile Virus in Louisiana, bringing this year's total to 118 reported infections.
The Department of Health and Hospitals said Friday the new infections include five of the more serious neuroinvasive disease. There was one case each in Ascension, Bossier, East Baton Rouge, Ouachita and Pointe Coupee parishes.
There were also nine new cases of the milder West Nile fever including five in East Baton Rouge, three in Caddo and one in LaFourche. There was also one new asymptomatic case reported in East Baton Rouge Parish.
No new deaths were reported, leaving the state's count at five.
Dr. Raoult Ratard, the state's epidemiologist, encouraged residents to prevent mosquito bites by using repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants.
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