Louisiana
Defending against West Nile virus in Louisiana includes testing, trapping mosquitoes
Twice a week in the summer and fall, employees with West Baton Rouge’s mosquito control department — like workers in 31 other Louisiana parishes — set traps for the southern house mosquito, the species that carries the West Nile virus.
The parishes are looking for information that will tell them where to send their mosquito-spraying trucks. They set up the traps in drainage ditches and near septic tanks, places where the mosquitoes like to lay their eggs.
In fact, the traps are baited with what’s called “artificial stinkwater” and are designed to attract pregnant female mosquitoes — because only female mosquitoes bite people (and birds) for blood, said George Bragg, director of the West Baton Rouge Mosquito Control department.
Both male and female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, Bragg said, but “the females also take blood, because they need the protein to make eggs.”
The mosquito control workers capture the trapped live insects in nets, then take the nets back to the office and put them in cold storage for 45 minutes, one way to kill a mosquito.
Then comes the important next step: preparing the mosquito samples for testing.
West Nile virus
About 80% to 90% of all West Nile virus cases have no symptoms, the Louisiana Department of Health said. That is one reason why it is important to monitor mosquito populations, according to a recent report.
Other people with the virus may have mild to moderate flu-like symptoms and don’t feel bad enough to go a doctor or be tested for West Nile, the department said.
Then there is the small fraction of people with West Nile virus who can develop neuroinvasive diseases like meningitis and encephalitis.
“Due to the severe nature of these cases, they are consistently detected and reported,” the Department of Health said in a report out this week on diseases transmitted to humans by insects this year through Sept. 14.
According to the report, two deaths from a neuroinvasive disease have occurred in Louisiana during that time period.
Testing process
The testing of the trapped mosquitoes happens at LSU Diagnostics, an animal disease diagnostics lab housed in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
But before that happens, parish mosquito control departments have more work to do.
After the mosquitoes in the nets come out of cold storage, they are separated by species — there are more than 60 in Louisiana — and gender, Bragg said.
The mosquitoes are then put into vials, anywhere from five to 100 per vial, and sent to LSU Diagnostics.
“Surveillance is a vital part of mosquito control,” Bragg said.
So far this year, 439 “mosquito pools” in Louisiana have tested positive for West Nile virus, out of 17,000 pools tested, said Alma Roy, Ph.D., a consultant with the diagnostics lab.
The state Department of Health describes a mosquito pool as aggregate samples of more than 50 mosquitoes from the same site.
Roy said the diagnostics lab at the LSU Vet School has been testing for West Nile virus since it first appeared in Louisiana in 2002.
“We test up to 1,000 vials a week and up to 30,000 vials yearly,” she said.
When the mosquitoes come in, they are ground up and tested for the genetic material of the virus.
“Not many people know about the lab, but we participate in the public health of the people of Louisiana,” Roy said.
Louisiana state epidemiologist Theresa Sokol said West Nile virus in humans is highly variable from one year to the next.
“The one thing you can count on is it’s unpredictable,” she said.
The West Nile virus season peaks in August, but will continue through the fall months, Sokol said. Testing ends in November.
“In Louisiana, I think, we’re particularly vulnerable, with our hot climate, lots of rain and humidity,” she said.
“Everybody throughout Louisiana right now is at risk at being infected by West Nile virus.”
She encourages people to take measures to protect themselves against mosquitoes.
The mosquito control department in West Baton Rouge is one of a handful in the state that regularly post their test findings, Bragg said.
For instance, earlier this week, the department posted on the parish Facebook page that it had submitted 22 mosquito samples to LSU Diagostics for testing on Monday and two tested positive for West Nile virus. The post continued with the department’s plans for spraying and other measures.
The numbers posted this week are small and no cause for worry, Bragg said.
The main reason the parish posts the information is that “we want people to be aware,” he said.
“We want to encourage people to do what they can around their yard” to protect against mosquitoes, Bragg said.
Some of those measures, according to Sokol and Bragg:
- Empty water from all containers around the property at least once per week.
- Get rid of or treat standing water on the property.
- Repair any holes in window and door screens.
- Make sure any gaps around window air-conditioning units are sealed.
- Clean the gutters.
- Make sure swimming pools are well chlorinated.
- Wear long, loosefitting clothing if possible.
- Wear mosquito repellent. If you wear sunscreen, put on the sunscreen first, then the mosquito repellent. Read the instructions for the repellent and reapply.
- Avoid activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Josh Hoover passed for four touchdowns to help TCU beat Louisiana-Lafayette 34-3 on Saturday in the New Mexico Bowl.
Hoover was 20 for 32 for 252 yards with an interception. Eric McAlister had eight catches for 87 yards and a TD for the Horned Frogs (9-4).
TCU’s defense also had a solid day, holding Louisiana-Lafayette (10-4) to 209 yards, including 61 on the game’s final possession.
Ben Wooldridge was 7-for-20 passing for 61 yards for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He also threw an interception.
The Horned Frogs put together a fast start. Hoover found DJ Rogers for a 3-yard TD pass, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive on the game’s opening possession.
After Lou Groza Award winner Kenneth Almendares missed a 54-yard field goal for Louisiana-Lafayette, TCU went right back to work.
McAlister’s 1-yard touchdown reception finished a 10-play, 63-yard drive and gave the Horned Frogs a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Kyle Lemmermann kicked two field goals and JP Richardson added a 20-yard touchdown reception as TCU opened a 27-0 halftime lead.
Takeaways
TCU: Two years removed from an appearance in the national championship game, the Horned Frogs turned in a strong performance after going 5-7 last season. They scored on their first four possessions against the Cajuns. and held a 27-0 halftime lead.
Louisiana-Lafayette: It was a rough afternoon for the Cajuns. Almendares made a 24-yarder in the fourth quarter to account for their only points.
UP NEXT
TCU opens the 2025 season Aug. 30 at North Carolina in coach Bill Belichick’s debut with the Tar Heels.
Louisiana-Lafayette opens at home against Rice on Aug. 30.
Louisiana
Why did Marshall opt out of bowl game? Explaining Louisiana Tech’s Independence Bowl berth
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Army football is set to face Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl on Saturday night. It’s the second team the Black Knights have been slated to play this bowl season.
No. 18 Army (11-2) was originally slated to play Marshall after winning the American Athletic Conference, however, the Thundering Herd opted out of the bowl game, allowing for the Bulldogs (5-7) to reach the postseason despite not reaching the typical 6-win threshold.
Army, coming off a loss to arch-rival Navy, is looking to reach 12 wins for the first time in program history. Quarterback Bryson Daily, who finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, had one of the best seasons ever for the Black Knights, scoring 38 total touchdowns with a team-leading 1,532 rushing yards.
There are numerous reasons as to why Army won’t be taking on Marshall, who went 10-3 this season and won the Sun Belt championship.
Here’s an explanation of Army’s opponent in the Independence Bowl on Saturday:
Why is Army playing Louisiana Tech instead of Marshall?
Marshall backed out of the Independence Bowl in wake of coach Charles Huff leaving for the Southern Miss job, which resulted in numerous Thundering Herd players entering the transfer portal.
Marshall simply was left with hardly a roster and no head coach, resulting in the opt out.
Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported Louisiana Tech was selected as the replacement due to its Academic Progress Rate despite not reaching the 6-win bowl eligibility threshold. Dellenger added multiple 5-win teams had better APR than Louisiana Tech, however, were unable to commit to the game based on the short turnaround of the matchup after Marshall’s opt out.
Why did Marshall opt out of bowl game?
Marshall opted out of the game due to having a substantial number of players enter the transfer portal following Huff’s departure to Southern Miss.
The Thundering Herd had over 25 players enter the transfer portal, including all three of their scholarship quarterbacks.
“It is unfortunate that Marshall determined they won’t be able to compete in the bowl in a couple of weeks,” Independence Bowl executive director Missy Setters said in a statement. “Our goal was to create the best matchup possible for our local fans and college football fans throughout the country, and we think we did that with two conference champions. Moving forward we are very excited to host Louisiana Tech and are thrilled we found an opponent for Army.”
According to On3’s transfer portal database, Marshall has lost 45 players to the transfer portal this offseason.
Why is Louisiana Tech in Independence Bowl?
Louisiana Tech was the replacement for Marshall, who opted out of the Independence Bowl due to losing a large group of players to the transfer portal.
Louisiana Tech was then selected due to its Academic Progress Rate, despite not having the highest among 5-win teams. The Bulldogs (5-7) didn’t reach the 6-win bowl threshold, but were picked since there were no 6-win teams left to choose from.
Louisiana Tech’s APR was also not the highest among 5-win teams, but was selected after multiple teams in front of it in the pecking order couldn’t commit to the game with the short turnaround after Marshall’s opt out.
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The college football bowl action continues with the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl featuring the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs facing off against the Army Black Knights.
Stepping in to replace Marshall after it pulled out due to outside factors, Louisiana Tech has shown remarkable resilience. Despite a tough season, finishing 5-7 and fifth in Conference USA, the Bulldogs have not backed down. They are led by freshman quarterback Evan Bullock, who boasted a 67.4% completion rate for 1,938 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. Bullock has a strong target in wide receiver Tru Edwards, who led CUSA in receptions (77) and recorded 897 receiving yards with six touchdowns.
Louisiana Tech is set to face a challenging opponent in Army, which recently made history by winning its first AAC championship game. This marks a significant milestone in the program’s 134-year history after an impressive 11-2 season. The Black Knights are guided by senior quarterback Bryson Daily, who is a formidable presence both on the ground and through the air. Last season, Daily passed for 942 yards and nine touchdowns, while also throwing four interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for an impressive 1,532 yards, scoring a remarkable 29 touchdowns.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Independence Bowl.
Independence Bowl predictions: Louisiana Tech vs. Army
USA TODAY Sports: Army is unanimous pick
- Scooby Axson: Army
- Jordan Mendoza: Army
- Paul Myerberg: Army
- Erick Smith: Army
- Eddie Timanus: Army
- Dan Wolken: Army
ESPN: Army 23, Louisiana Tech 16
Adam Rittenberg writes: “The Independence Bowl has a new participant and a different/more local flavor, as Marshall opted out following its coaching change and portal exodus, and Louisiana Tech stepped in as the replacement, and will make the short drive from Ruston to Shreveport. The Bulldogs have half the number of wins as the Thundering Herd, but their defense can be very stingy at times, and will need to perform against Bryson Daily and the Black Knights. Although Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie said, “The band’s back together,” the Bulldogs will be without several defensive linemen who went into the transfer portal. Army is undoubtedly still smarting from the Navy loss, and top running back Kanye Udoh entered the portal. Louisiana Tech jumps ahead early behind quarterback Evan Bullock, but Army eventually takes control and grinds out a low-scoring win, its 12th on the season.”
College Football Network: Army 35, Louisiana Tech 13
James Fragoza writes: “The Black Knights’ 2024 campaign has been one for the books, highlighted by their physical dominance and a well-executed option attack. While a 49-14 rout at the hands of playoff-bound Notre Dame and a 31-13 upset loss to Navy stand out as blemishes, they’re hardly disqualifying. Navy, after all, is a nine-win squad with an efficient offense – a far cry from what Louisiana Tech brings to the table. The Black Knights, even after failing to cover as double-digit favorites in their last two outings, still present a clear mismatch for a Bulldogs team that managed just one win over an FBS opponent with a winning record this year. For Louisiana Tech, this matchup feels less like an opportunity and more like a buzzsaw, especially due to its transfer portal losses.”
Tickets to the Independence Bowl with StubHub
Independence Bowl odds, lines: Louisiana Tech vs. Army
The Army Black Knights are favorites to defeat the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of Friday, Dec. 27.
- Spread: Army (-14)
- Moneylines: Army (-800); Louisiana Tech (+500)
- Over/under: 44.5
How to watch Louisiana Tech vs. Army in the Independence Bowl
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
- Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Fubo
- Where: Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
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