Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus; crews take measures to keep Baton Rouge safe

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The East Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control is sending an alert for the community after two mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus last week.

Along with mosquito trucks, a drone and a Britten-Norman Islander plane is being put to use by the EBR Parish Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control, said Randy Vaeth, assistant director of EBR Parish Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control.

“Yesterday we used this plane, this a Britten-Norman Islander, to spray about 60 gallons of pesticide over the Mid-City area in trying to control the southern house mosquito,” Vaeth said.

This is to help residents in Baton Rouge stay safe after mosquitoes tested positive in the area.

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“We pulled out the big guns. When we have disease or human cases of mosquito borne disease, we will employ the aircraft to get a big area treated very quickly,” said Vaeth.

Aside from the plane, Vaeth said at least 130 residential homes are being sprayed per day and residents can take advantage of the free service by calling 225-356-3297.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, there’s no human cases with the virus as of right now, but they do urge caution.

“Using an EPA registered insect repellent. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so anything around your home that contains standing water, might be containers. Keep those turned over or make sure to empty them once a week,” said Theresa Sokol, state epidemiologist of LDH.

Sokol also gives advice to spray repellent only on exposed skin. She also says to wear long sleeve shirts and pants and spray repellent on top of the clothes you are wearing.

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