West Nile ‘indicators’ discovered in Acadia sentinel chickens — 1 near Eunice

A pair of sentinel chickens in the northern area of Acadia parish have tested positive for West Nile indicators.
Glenn Stokes, CEO of Mosquito Control Contractors, Inc., reported Friday afternoon that blood tests on the two chickens indicated that each had been bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus.
One chicken was located within the corporate limits of Iota, the second about midway between Basile and Eunice and about a mile into Acadia, according to Stokes.
Blood is drawn from the 16 sentinel chickens positions throughout the parish on Mondays. The test results from LSU generally are received the following Friday.
“We’ve increased our spraying in these areas and will be conducting additional spraying and larva siting within a one mile radius of each,” Stokes said.
These two chickens are the second and third found to be positive for the virus in the last two months, according to Stokes. The first was in the Maxie area.
“People should take extra precautions,” he said. “We know for certain that these chickens were bitten by virus-carrying mosquitoes. Had those mosquitoes bitten people, those people would have contracted West Nile.”
Stokes recommends following the “5 Ds” of mosquito protection:
• Dusk and Dawn: Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking a bloodmeal. Dusk and dawn are prime times for mosquito activity. Mosquitoes may also be active anytime on cool, cloudy days.
• Dress: When temperatures allow, wear clothing that covers your skin. Clothing with mosquito repellant impregnated materials such as permethrin may be a consideration, as may loose-fitting net-style clothing. Some studies show dark colors are more attractive to mosquitoes.
• DEET -- This tested repellant remains the standard by which all other repellants are judged. It is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, chiggers, fleas and ticks. The American Academy of Pediatrics says all family members over 2 months can use DEET-based repellents with up to 30 percent concentration. Most products start out at a concentration of 5 percent (lasts 90 minutes or so) and range up to 100 percent (for approximately 10 hours of protection from bites).
• Drain: Check your home to eliminate or reduce standing water that can produce mosquitoes. Mosquitoes hatched in your back yard or on your patio will often stay close by, affecting you and your neighbor as well. Whenever possible, “tip and toss” nonessential water-holding containers.
West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. You can reduce your risk of being infected with WNV by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites.
There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms.
About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms.
Fewer than 1 percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness.