West Nile Virus update - In the United States, summer is not just a time to enjoy a bright and sunny day at the beach. It is also a time to beware from vector-borne diseases such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis viruses posed by the influx of annoying mosquitoes in the country.

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Now, more states in the U.S. are bolstering their monitoring efforts as more cases of West Nile virus have emerged. Aside from New York, Colorado's Pueblo County, New England's Vermont and North Dakota, Louisiana has confirmed the first cases of the West Nile Virus in the state this year.

In a press release on Friday, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reported that three cases were discovered this week including two patients who exhibited neuroinvasive disease. According to Chron, one case is found in Region 2 covering East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Pointe Coupee, and Iberville and Ascension parishes. Another one is discovered in Region 6 including Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon and Winn. And the third case is also in Region 6, but was asymptomatic.

West Nile virus, an infection spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, is a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. The virus usually cycles between mosquitoes and birds. While most people infected do not get sick, a small percentage of those infected will experience a fever, rash, headache, meningitis, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or even death, as previously reported.

As stated by local health officials, around 90 percent of infected people are asymptomatic, while about 10 percent will develop West Nile fever. And only a very small number show the serious symptoms associated with neuroinvasive disease.

Meanwhile, mosquito populations is currently on the rise in Wisconsin because of the warm weather, WQOW.com revealed. Experts said the pesky insect bites can give more than just an itch. They sometimes carry diseases like West Nile Virus, Malaria, and Yellow Fever. They added mosquitoes like shaded, low-light areas and are most commonly seen at dawn and dusk.

One way to eradicate these disease-causing mosquitoes is by dumping standing water in the yard. It is also recommended to take simple precautions such as using insect repellant containing DEET (Diethyltoluamide). Wearing long sleeves, light-colored clothing and having a fan are also useful.

In other news, a new study showed why mosquitoes are so good at biting humans. In fact, researchers revealed that they are pretty good hunters and use their sense of smell to detect their targets, Pioneer News reported. The study also suggest that whatever they need to do to suck out blood, they're going to do it, particularly female mosquitoes.

TagsWest Nile Louisiana, West Nile Virus, West Nile Virus Update, West Nile Virus Louisiana, West Nile Virus US