The Effect of Adulticide Application on Mosquito Counts in Orleans Parish, 2021
Carli Harvey, Alex Pavlakis, Dr. Jen Breaux, Dr. Susanne Straif-Bourgeois
BACKGROUND
West Nile Virus (WNV) is the most common arboviral disease in Louisiana. Mosquitoes are infected from feeding on a WNV+ bird, then transmit WNV to humans. In 2021, LA reported 22 cases of WNV in humans. Seventeen cases were West Nile Neuroinvasive diseases, and five were West Nile Fever. East Baton Rouge Parish had the most cases for a single parish, and many parishes, including Orleans, had 1 reported case.
The New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent, and Termite Control Board (NOMRTCB) conducts weekly surveillance for arboviruses and high mosquito activity in Orleans Parish. NOMRTCB uses Gravid Traps for counts of Culex quinquefasciatus, the local vector for West Nile Virus. The number of mosquitoes and lab results detecting West Nile Virus inform decisions for mosquito abatement, typically applying adulticide, or pesticides that kill adult mosquitos, from a truck. NOMRTCB uses
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control mosquitoes. IPM is economically and environmentally sensitive and includes setting action thresholds, monitoring and identifying pests, prevention, and control.
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