West Nile found in Franklin

The city's mayor said the virus was found in live mosquitos that tested positive last week.

BY RANDY LOUIS, THE DAILY IBERIAN

FRANKLIN — For the second time this year, a report of the West Nile virsus has been found in western St. Mary Parish.

Mayor Raymond Harris said live mosquitoes in Franklin tested positive last week with the West Nile virus.

“The mosquitoes were on Virginia Street and since then we have stepped up the spraying in the city,” Harris said. “Some time this week, we will run another test in the area of Virginia Street and those results will be in Friday.

Harris said the city is asking business owners and residents to take necessary precautions to aviod mosquitoes and to remove containers that might hold standing water around there homes.

West Nile is one of several viruses carried by mosquitoes that can cause encephalitis which is an inflammation of the brain.

In July, St. Mary Parish officials reported that Louisiana State University confirmed the first positive case in western St. Mary Parish of the West Nile virus, which was in Verdunville north of the Bayou Teche.

Things residents should do to try to avoid the virus are:

  • Wear long-sleeve, light colored clothing. Dark-colored clothing attracts mosquitoes.

  • Use a DEET-based mosquito repellent when outdoors, cover all exposed skin surfaces and do not wear perfumes or cologne.

  • Dusk and dawn are the times when most mosquitoes are actively seeking a blood meal. People are advised to avoid going outside during these two times of the day. Wear repellent if you must venture outside.

  • Remove standing water around your home or business. Empty all sources, which include birdbaths, plant bowls, unused swimming pools, old tires, clogged rain gutters and any other container that may hold water.

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