City of New Orleans, LA

06/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2025 13:58

The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board Reports Additional Mosquito Pools Test Positive for West Nile Virus and Will Conduct Adult Mosquito Abatement[...]

June 12, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board Reports Additional Mosquito Pools Test Positive for West Nile Virus and Will Conduct Adult Mosquito Abatement Tonight

The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) reports that mosquitoes collected in traps this week from the East Bank of Orleans Parish tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). WNV cycles between wild birds and mosquitoes and can be transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. NOMTRCB will conduct spray missions tonight, targeting adult populations of mosquitoes. Treatments will be conducted by trucks and helicopter between the hours of 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., weather permitting, in the following areas:

  • Truck treatment in Navarre & City Park bounded by I-610, I-10, N Carrollton Avenue, and Wisner Boulevard
  • Truck treatment in Mid-City & Bayou St. John area bounded by Esplanade Avenue, N Carrollton Avenue, I-10, Canal Street, and N Galvez Street.
  • Truck treatment in St. Claude & Bywater bounded by Florida Avenue, Chartres Street, Franklin Avenue, and Japonica Street.
  • Truck treatment in the Desire Area bounded by I-10, Florida Avenue, and France Road.
  • Truck treatment in Pontchartrain Park & Gentilly Woods bounded by Lakeshore Drive, I-10, Providence Pl, and France Road.
  • Helicopter treatment in Venetian Isles bounded by Lake Pontchartrain, Ridgeway Boulevard, Chef Menteur Highway, and the parish line.

*The following area was rescheduled from Tuesday's (June 10) postponed treatment:

  • Truck treatment in Algiers & Tall Timbers/Brechtel bounded by General De Gaulle Dr, the parish line, Behrman Ave, and the Intracoastal Waterway.

These positive samples indicate that WNV is actively circulating among local mosquitoes and bird populations. No human cases have been reported in Orleans Parish this year. West Nile and other mosquito-borne viruses are more active in the summer and early fall. WNV detection in mosquitoes is common in Orleans Parish at this time of the year, however we are observing an elevated number of positive samples. Our adult traps have collected infected mosquitoes in consecutive weeks, with arbovirus detection expanding to more areas of the city. NOMTRCB sets out adult mosquito traps throughout the parish and tests samples for mosquito-borne diseases weekly. We are conducting adulticide spray treatments to target our primary vector of WNV, Culex quinquefasciatus, and break the disease cycle.

While most human West Nile infections are asymptomatic, common symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. In rare cases, severe illness can occur. Individuals over age 60, those who are immunocompromised, and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions are at greater risk of severe illness.

NOMTRCB is also continuing to treat standing water sites to kill the larval stages of mosquitoes throughout the parish. These treatments prevent mosquitoes from developing to adults and help reduce adult populations. At this time of year, mosquitoes can develop from eggs to adult mosquitoes in as little as one week. After recent heavy rains experienced throughout Orleans Parish this week, we are urging all citizens to take these steps to help protect themselves and their homes from mosquitoes:

Protect Yourself

  • Use repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow product instructions when using repellents.
  • When possible, limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Use air conditioning or sit in the air stream of a fan outdoors when possible.

Protect Your Home

  • Eliminate standing water around your home and yard where mosquitoes lay their eggs by tipping over all outdoor containers at least weekly.
  • Remove trash and clutter and turn over any object that can hold water, such as kiddie pools, buckets, empty trash cans, children's toys, or plant pot trays. Store items upside-down when not in use.
  • Make sure swimming pools and fountains are functional and circulating.
  • Change water weekly in containers that cannot be removed such as bird baths, pet water bowls, or non-functional fountains.
  • Scrub the sides of the containers to remove mosquito eggs that may have been deposited.
  • Rain barrels and other water collection devices must be screened and collected water should be used within one week.
  • Make sure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside the home.

For more information on West Nile virus, visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

Report Mosquito Issues

Please report mosquito-related issues using one of the following methods:

  • Call 311 to make a service request.
  • Complete a service request online: https://nola311.org/service-request/
  • Email NOMTRCB: mosquitocontrol@nola.gov
  • Call NOMTRCB: (504) 658-2400

For more tips on safeguarding your home and yourself from pests, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @nolamosquito. You can also visit our website for comprehensive resources: https://nola.gov/next/mosquito/home/.

City of New Orleans, LA published this content on June 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 12, 2025 at 19:59 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io