information below is from the City of New Orleans’ website
The City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (NOMTCB) and the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) are working with partners to provide you with information about Zika. NOTCMB is monitoring the mosquito population. Mitigation efforts to limit the mosquito population will utilize a combination of chemical control and habitat reduction methods as needed.
What is Zika?
Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also spread when an infected man has sex with his partner. Most people with Zika do not know they have it. Symptoms are usually mild, lasting about a week.
Common Symptoms: Fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other symptoms include headache and muscle pain. If you develop symptoms within 2 weeks of travel, see a doctor and tell the doctor where you traveled. For more information about Zika visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
On January 15, 2016 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel alert for people traveling to regions where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. For an up-to-date list of travel notice countries view our tab below or visit CDC Travel .
Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. For more information, view our factsheet for pregnant women.
What is the city doing?
The City of New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (NOMTCB) and the New Orleans Health Department are working with partners to provide you with information about the Zika virus as well as monitoring the mosquito populations. Click here to read the City’s Zika Plan.
Need more information?
For more information on mosquitoes visit New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board .
Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes
Late summer is the most common time of year for mosquito activity but they can breed and bite during all warm weather months.
How to protect yourself from mosquitoes
- Dusk and Dawn — Mosquitoes that can carry Zika are day biters and most active during dusk and dawn.
- Dress — Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants. For extra protection, treat clothing with permethrin.
- DEET — Use EPA-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective.
- Drainage — Remove standing water around the home in places such as plant containers, old tires and buckets.
How to protect your home from mosquitoes
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it.
- Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.
- Place screen on rain barrels or water collecting containers and use the water within a week.
- Report illegal dumping, abandoned swimming pools and water leaks by calling 311.
The mosquitoes that spread the chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses are aggressive daytime biters, but they also bite at night.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Here’s how:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Keep mosquitoes outside
- Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
- Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Use insect repellent
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or para-menthane-diol (PMD). Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
- Always follow the product label instructions.
- Reapply insect repellent as directed.
- Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
- If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.
- To protect your child from mosquito bites:
- Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
- Do not use products containing OEL or PMD on children younger than 3 years old.
- Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
- Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
- Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
- Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
- Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last.
- If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully.
- Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.
For more information, visit Insect Repellents: Reducing Insect Bites.
Chikungunya: Fact sheets and posters