Be careful of mosquitos in New Orleans, or you may come down with a case of West Nile virus.
According to WVUE, the city reported Friday that mosquitos collected in Orleans Parish have tested positive the virus. The mosquitos were collected on the East Bank of the parish.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental U.S., said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most people with the infection do not feel sick, around 1 in 5 people develop symptoms and 1 out of 150 people with the virus develop serious or fatal illness.
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Insect repellent and clothing that covers skin can prevent infections, according to the CDC.
Mosquito treatments were also expected to be conducted by airplane Friday night in the New Orleans area bounded by Lakeshore Drive, the Inner Harbor Canal, Mirabeau Avenue through Harrison Avenue, and the Parish line from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
No human cases had been reported in Orleans Parish as of Friday.
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