The Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory recently confirmed a sentinel chicken flock to be positive for the encephalitis virus in St. Rose earlier this summer. In addition, mosquito samples taken in Hahnville and Ama have come back as positive for West Nile.

The parish’s mosquito control contractor, Mosquito Control Inc., has already begun its response to the finding, which includes larviciding mosquito breeding sites within a five-block area and increased general spraying. Please limit your exposure to mosquitos by using repellant, wearing long sleeves and pants and ridding mosquito breeding sites in your yards.