Mosquitoes in Orleans Parish Test Positive for West Nile Virus, City Conducts Spraying and Larvicide Treatments

The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board reports that mosquitoes collected from the East Bank of Orleans Parish tested positive for West Nile virus. NOMTRCB will conduct spray missions tonight and tomorrow morning by truck, targeting adult mosquito populations. The areas to be treated include Lakeview, West End, Lake Shore, Lake Vista, City Park, and Iberville. Citizens are urged to dump out and turn over containers holding water and take protective measures to reduce exposure.

The City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board (NOMTRCB) has reported that mosquitoes collected from the East Bank of Orleans Parish tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). In response, the board will conduct spray missions tonight and tomorrow morning to target adult mosquito populations.

Spray missions will commence tonight (May 29, 2025) from 7:45 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and will continue tomorrow morning (May 30, 2025) from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., weather permitting. The areas to be treated include Lakeview and West End, bounded by Allen Toussaint Blvd, I-610, Bellaire Dr, and the Orleans Canal; Lake Shore and Lake Vista, bounded by Lakeshore Dr, Allen Toussaint Blvd, Breakwater Dr, and Beauregard Ave; City Park, bounded by Allen Toussaint Blvd, Zachory Taylor Dr, Marconi Dr, and Bayou St John; and Iberville, South 7th Ward, and the French Quarter, bounded by N Claiborne Ave, I-10, Canal St, the Mississippi River, and Franklin Ave.

The detection of WNV in mosquitoes indicates that the virus is actively circulating among local bird and mosquito populations. No human cases have been reported in Orleans Parish this year. West Nile and other mosquito-borne viruses are more active during the summer and early fall. While most human infections are asymptomatic, common symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. In rare cases, severe illness can occur, particularly among individuals over age 60, those who are immunocompromised, or those with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

NOMTRCB has observed elevated counts of Culex mosquito populations, particularly of Culex quinquefasciatus, the primary vector of West Nile virus. In response to recent heavy rains, citizens are urged to dump out and turn over any containers holding water on their property to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.

As peak mosquito season approaches, NOMTRCB encourages citizens to take protective measures to reduce exposure. This includes using repellents containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, using air conditioning or sitting in the air stream of a fan when possible, ensuring window and door screens are in good condition, and regularly dumping standing water.

For more information and tips on safeguarding homes and individuals from pests, residents can follow NOMTRCB on social media platforms and visit their website at [NOLAMOSQUITO](https://nola.gov/next/mosquito/home/).

References:
[1] https://nola.gov/next/mayors-office/news/articles/may-2025/2025-05-29-the-city-of-new-orleans-mosquito,-termite-and-rodent-control-board-(nomtrcb)-reports-that/
[2] https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-discover-west-nile-virus-in-the-uk-for-the-first-time