ST. MARTIN PARISH — St. Martin Parish is closely monitoring West Nile virus as activity continues to surface in the region. Parish officials are working with Cajun Mosquito Control to track and contain the threat, using a combination of traps and lab testing to stay ahead of the virus.

Jessie Boudreaux, president of Cajun Mosquito Control, explained how his team identifies the most dangerous mosquitoes. “We’re looking for the number one leading carrier of West Nile virus, the southern house mosquito also known as the culex quinquefasciatus, and this mosquito is the leading carrier of West Nile in the state of Louisiana,” he said. “The surveillance we do is aimed for finding her and having her tested to see if she has bitten an infected bird and has the West Nile virus in her system.”

St.

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