In late June, the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the first case of West Nile virus of 2025. In 2024, there were 57 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Louisiana, including three deaths.

About 1 in 150 people who are infected with West Nile virus develop a severe illness that can affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves, which may even cause paralysis or death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between 80% and 90% of all West Nile virus cases are asymptomatic, according to LDH.

Tarra Hardin, a technician at the Diagnostic Lab in Baton Rouge, tests nearly 19,000 mosquitoes each week for various viruses in the state.

How does the mosquito testing process work?

We're the only accredited Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in the state of Louisiana. We do

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