St. Francis neurologist speaks on detecting symptoms of West Nile virus

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) – In July, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) reported new human cases of the West Nile neuroinvasive disease in Northeast Louisiana. The disease is contracted via mosquito bites, causing illness in animals and humans.

The disease is contracted via mosquito bites, causing illness in animals and humans. According to LDH, the state has had a total of eight cases of the disease in 2024. KTVE/KARD spoke to a local neurohospitalist, Dr. Jason Maljaars, with St. Francis Medical Center, for more information about the illness.

Often causes either no symptoms or very mild symptoms when someone gets infected. Rarely, you can have kind of a worsening of the condition where the virus actually invades the nervous system including the lining of the brain, it’s called meningitis, and the brain itself which is called encephalitis, and when that happens the condition can be a lot more severe.

Dr. Jason Maljaars, Neurohospitalist, Stroke Medical Director | St. Francis Medical Center

Four of the cases found in Louisiana were located in Winnsboro, La., in Franklin Parish. LDH reports that it is not uncommon to see a rise in the illness during the summer months, but seeing a cluster of cases in a small area is unusual. Dr. Maljaars gave KTVE/KARD details on the signs and symptoms of West Nile fever.

You’ll experience things in addition to the fever obviously, typically you’ll have a headache, typically that headache will be worsened with light sensitivity. You could have the aches in your muscles and you know just fatigue. Again very similar to almost any type of viral illness.

Dr. Jason Maljaars, Neurohospitalist, Stroke Medical Director | St. Francis Medical Center

Maljaars also stated that the area has been seeing a higher number of cases recently. With the four cases in Franklin Parish, LDH is advising that the surrounding parishes take protective measures. The Ouachita Parish Mosquito Abatement District received information from the Department of Health and Hospitals that revealed that 11 mosquito pools in Ouachita Parish tested positive for the virus. KTVE/KARD asked Dr. Maljaars for tips on staying protected from the illness.

The main thing for protection is any way to reduce your exposure to mosquito bites. So whether that is using mosquito repellant or you know long sleeve clothing, staying indoors

Dr. Jason Maljaars, Neurohospitalist, Stroke Medical Director | St. Francis Medical Center

According to Dr. Maljaars, if the virus or disease is contracted, there is no specific treatment for the infection. If medical assistance is needed, patients will receive supportive care.