[StBernard] Mosquito concerns swell in St. Bernard

[Westley Annis]

Mosquito concerns swell in St. Bernard
Two viruses found in seven of 12 samples 
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
By Karen Turni Bazile

Prompted by reports of West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis being
found in mosquito samples, the St. Bernard Parish Council has called a
special council meeting today at 6 p.m. 

Wil Schulte, the parish's supervisor of mosquito control, said seven of 12
mosquito samples taken in the Arabi and Chalmette area tested this week
showed positive for the two viruses. 

"We have a health menace fixing to happen" if people aren't careful, St.
Bernard Parish President Henry "Junior" Rodriguez said, noting that two
cases of West Nile had recently been reported in St. Tammany Parish. No
human cases have been found in St. Bernard Parish, Rodriguez said. 

 
Rodriguez said he believes the thousands of homes in St. Bernard abandoned
after flooding by Hurricane Katrina could contribute to the potential health
problem. Clogged drains also become breeding grounds, he said. 

Schulte said the parish has increased aerial and ground spraying for adult
mosquitoes and will continue this level of spraying until samples test
negative. 

Health officials say individuals should take precautions, such as using
screens to make sure homes are as mosquito-proof as possible, getting rid of
standing water, wearing clothes that cover arms and legs, and using insect
repellent that contains DEET.