![West Nile Virus on the Rise in Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/183/files/2016/07/1328623.jpg?w=980&q=75)
West Nile Virus on the Rise in Louisiana
It's no shock that the mosquitoes are thick in the Ark-La-Tex. When the conditions are perfect (for them) you can see them swarming in clouds by the thousands. In the past decade, these annoying little blood-suckers have brought more than itching to the party. The spread of the dreaded West Nile virus has been linked to these horrific winged beasts. The blood-borne disease is easily spread from person to person through the mosquito's hypodermic needle-like proboscis (the little tube they use to suck you dry).
In some cases the disease can be deadly. This year - the infection rate is more than twice what we saw in 2017. So far, 53 cases have been reported in the Bayou state - where as last year at this time, there were only 21 cases. According to the Shreveport Times, 7 of those cases are in Caddo Parish! Even though we are experiencing a higher infection rate this year, we are doing much better as a state than we did in 2012. That year, there were a staggering 397 reported cases of the virus.
Currently, there are no treatments for the infection.
More From Highway 98.9
![Careful! Shreveport Is One Of Worst US Cities For STD’s](http://townsquare.media/site/155/files/2018/07/Sexism.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![1st Possible Case of Deadly CWD Just Found Here in Louisiana Deer](http://townsquare.media/site/155/files/2018/03/Deer.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Walk-In Vaccines Available for Vets This Week in Shreveport](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2021/03/GettyImages-1230169167.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two More Cases of COVID-19 Variant Found in Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2020/04/fusion-medical-animation-rnr8D3FNUNY-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Military Aircraft to Battle Mosquitoes in South Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2020/10/C-130-US-Military-News-via-YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![200 COVID-19 Kits to be Given Away Ahead of Fall Resurgence](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2020/08/RS26220_GettyImages-904264738-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Governor Edwards Has Extended Phase 3 for Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2020/10/GettyImages-577085176.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Tire Amnesty Day’ Will Be Held this Month in Shreveport](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2020/10/GettyImages-482130598.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Shreveport and Bossier Have Confirmed West Nile Virus Cases](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2020/09/RS41854_GettyImages-822663894.jpg?w=980&q=75)