You're watching...
CDC Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Lyle Petersen says flooding does not actually increase the potential risks of West Nile Virus.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
Louisiana still dealing with all that aftermath of -- another growing concern is west Nile state already one of the hardest hit by the disease this year with six deaths.
Reported so far.
So -- flooding from -- pose an even bigger threat.
As standing water draws mosquitoes during -- -- telephone is doctor Lyle Peterson CDC director -- Division a vector borne infectious diseases doctor Peterson thank you for joining us.
Are you concerned abouts.
Disease outbreak in the flood zone -- in Louisiana gulf region.
Well I'm certainly concerned about all areas that -- bad West Nile Virus this year.
Including in Louisiana.
Our experience however suggests that big flooding -- really don't affect west now.
Virus hell breaks.
It seems kind of paradoxical because you might think that there's more flooding -- mosquitoes.
But it turns out that the flood sometimes watch out some mosquito breeding sites and then create others though the effective as of about zero.
Well that's great things are there other concerns was standing water that people should be aware of.
Well I think my major concern is is that in many areas where West Nile Virus activity has occurred that.
The bloodied and other factors.
Related to the hurricane may caught a lot of people of the outside and exposed to those mosquitoes bit out west -- are -- them.
What is your take overall what's the status update for West Nile Virus -- know there's been spraying and significant parts of Texas in the south but it's really nationwide concern isn't it.
It is a nationwide concern West Nile Virus does the president throughout the United States -- just a matter how much and and what we've seen in recent weeks as the number of cases continue to.
Go up rather dramatically.
And even in new places.
In such as in the north of northern parts of the country which.
Hadn't seen a lot of cases in the in previously -- -- here.
Doctor Lyle Petersen of the CDC thanks.
Thanks for your taking that information helpful stuff.
