Louisiana

Flu Outbreak in Louisiana: Should You Be Worried?

Published

10 months ago

February 4, 2025

Flu Outbreak in Louisiana: Should You Be Worried?

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) – As we enter the last weeks of peak flu season, health officials are warning residents about rising flu cases, increased hospital visits, and ongoing RSV activity.

With one pediatric flu-related death reported and the highly transmissible A/H3 strain dominating cases, experts urge residents to take precautions.

The latest Influenza & Other Respiratory Viruses Surveillance Report from the Louisiana Department of Health confirms that flu activity is well above normal levels, with more than 9% of emergency room visits linked to flu-like symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the current flu outbreak in Louisiana and how to stay protected.

Louisiana Flu Rates Surge

Louisiana is seeing a major spike in flu cases, according to LDH data, with the latest report showing above-average flu-like illness (ILI) activity across the state. That ILI is among the highest in the country, even above the already-high southern states surrounding it.

Credit: Louisiana Department of Health

According to data for the week ending January 25, 2025, 9.7 percent of emergency department visits were due to flu-like symptoms, well above the regional baseline of 3.9 percent.

It’s gotten to the point where several medical offices have taken to swabbing patients if they even report a minor symptom or two. At this point, some in the medical field told KPEL News, if you have even one or two minor symptoms, chances are you’ve got the flu.

Flu Positivity and Virus Spread

And the data seems to confirm that. Testing results around the state confirm that 20.8 percent of flu tests in Louisiana are coming back positive, indicating a widespread outbreak.

Nationally, the flu positivity rate is 29.4 percent, showing that Louisiana’s flu season is in full swing but still slightly lower than the national trend. Still, the number of people showing symptoms is concerning.

Experts warn that cases are continuing to rise, suggesting the worst may not be over.

Flu-Associated Mortality and At-Risk Populations

So far, one pediatric flu-related death has been reported in Louisiana, with 47 flu-related pediatric deaths nationwide. Additionally, 87 percent of Influenza A cases in Louisiana have been identified as A/H3, a strain known for causing severe illness, particularly in older adults.

There are plenty of preventative measures you can take to try and prevent catching it, including washing your hands, communicating with others ahead of social gatherings, and more.

RSV and Other Respiratory Viruses in Louisiana

Adding to the concern, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) season is still active, affecting infants, young children, and older adults.

Other respiratory viruses such as Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, and Human Metapneumovirus are also circulating, which can be seen in the pharmacy section of your local grocery stores. Regulars like DayQuil, NyQuil, Mucinex, and more seem to be flying off the shelves.

What Louisiana Residents Need to Know

With flu activity surging across the state of Louisiana, it’s never too late to get a flu vaccine if you haven’t gotten the flu yet, practice good hygiene, and keep an eye and ear out for potential exposure.

The last thing you want is to catch the flu.

10 Things Every True South Louisiana Driver Should Keep in Their Car

Living in South Louisiana comes with its own set of unique challenges, from unpredictable weather to surprise mosquito invasions. Whether you’re navigating backroads, chasing sunsets along the bayou, or heading to a crawfish boil, your car needs to be stocked with essentials that reflect life in the Pelican State. Here are the 10 must-have items every true South Louisianian should keep in their vehicle.

Gallery Credit: Joe Cunningham

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Louisiana

What is the best elementary school in Louisiana? These 11 rank at top

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

What is the best elementary school in Louisiana? These 11 rank at top

When it comes to primary education, it’s important to choose a school that’s the right fit and offers educational opportunities.

U.S. News & World Report analyzed 103,391 Pre-Kindergarten, elementary and middle schools in order to determine which are the best throughout the U.S.

To do so, U.S. News & World Report assessed schools’ shares of students who were proficient in math and reading scores, and assessed such scores in the context of socioeconomic demographics.

US News & World Report best elementary schools in Louisiana for 2026

U.S. News & World Report analyzed 1,125 elementary schools in Louisiana, and these schools ranked as the 11 best.

1. Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies

Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies in Metairie is ranked as the best elementary school in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. This public elementary school serves Pre-Kindergarten to fifth grade, with a student population of 377 and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. At this school, 98% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 98% scored at or above the proficient level for reading.

2. T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School

T. S. Cooley Elementary Magnet School in Lake Charles is ranked as the second best elementary school in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report. The student population of this schools is 302, and the school serves grades Kindergarten through fifth, with a student-teacher ratio of 19:1. Here, 92% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 98% scored at or above the proficient level for reading.

3. South Highlands Elementary Magnet School

South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Shreveport is the third best elementary school in Louisiana, according to U.S. News & World Report. This school has a student population of 512 with a student-ration of 16:1, serving grades Pre-Kindergarten through fifth. Ninety-seven percent of students scored at or above the proficient level for math and 92% scored at or above the proficient level in reading.

4. Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies

Gretna No. 2 Academy for Advanced Studies in Gretna is a public school that serves Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. This school has a student population of 366 and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. Here, 98% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math and 92% scored at or above the proficient level for reading, according to U.S. News & Word Report.

5. Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies

Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies is a public school in Metairie that serves Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. This school has a student population of 429 and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. Ninety-two percent of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and the same percentage scored at or above the proficient level for reading, according to U.S. News & World Report.

6. Fairfield Magnet School

Fairfield Magnet School is a public school in Shreveport that serves grades Pre-Kindergarten through fifth, with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. The student population at this school is 528, with 93% scoring at or above the proficient level for math and 91% scoring at or above the proficient level for reading, says U.S. News & World Report.

7. Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School

Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School in Baton Rouge is a public school that serves Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. Here, the student population is 468 and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1. At this school, 92% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math and 90% scored at or above the proficient level for reading, says U.S. News & World Report.

8. Mayfair Laboratory School

Mayfair Laboratory School in Baton Rouge is a public school that has a student population of 504 and a student-teacher population of 11:1. This school serves grades Kindergarten through eighth, with 88% of students scoring at or above the proficient level for math and 87% scoring at or above the proficient level for reading, says U.S. News & World Report.

9. Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies

Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies is a public school in Westwego that serves Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. The school has a student population of 359 and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. Here, 87% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and the same percentage scored at or above the proficient level for reading, according to U.S. News & World Report.

10. Phoenix Magnet Elementary School

Phoenix Magnet Elementary School is a public school in Alexandria that serves Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. This school has a student population of 319 and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. Seventy-seven percent of students at this school scored at or above the proficient level for math and 92% scored at or above the proficient level for reading, according to U.S. News & World Report.

11. Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary School

Eden Gardens Fundamental Elementary School is a public school in Shreveport that serves Kindergarten through fifth grade. The student population of this school is 506 and the student-teacher ratio is 16:1. At this school, 88% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math and 86% scored at or above the proficient level for reading, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

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Louisiana

Which Louisiana schools would get lower grades under new rating system? Search here.

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2025

Press Room

Which Louisiana schools would get lower grades under new rating system? Search here.

It’s report card day for Louisiana schools and many have reason to celebrate.

Statewide, 44% of elementary and middle schools and 70% of high schools earned an A or B based on academic results from the 2024-2025 school year, according to state data released Thursday. Collectively, Louisiana’s public schools earned a B, and the statewide performance score grew by nearly one point to 80.9 — the highest it’s been since the current rating system launched over a decade ago.

But for many schools, the good grades won’t last.

Next year, a tougher rating system will kick in. To help prepare schools and the public for the shift, the Louisiana Department of Education released simulated grades this year alongside schools’ official grades. The simulated grades, which carry no weight, show how schools would have fared this year had the new system been in effect. It’s the first public preview of how grades will likely change when the revamped rating system launches in 2026.

For elementary and middle schools, the results would look similar to today: Most would earn the same or better grades, with just 16% getting lower ratings. But for high schools, the difference would be dramatic: 76% would get lower grades under the revised rating system.

The searchable table below shows the actual grade each school and district earned this year, as well as simulated grades based on the revised system.

The next table shows school and district performance scores. The 2024 and 2025 scores are on a 150-point scale, while the simulated scores are on a 100-point scale.

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Louisiana

LDWF Announces $5.2 Million for Conservation Projects through the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2025

Press Room

LDWF Announces .2 Million for Conservation Projects through the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Program

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced that the Louisiana Outdoor Forever (LOF) Project Selection Board voted to fund 5 conservation projects in Louisiana based on the review, evaluation, and scoring received from LOF’s Technical Advisory Board. The LOF program will allocate $921,350 and leverage $4.29 million for a total conservation investment of $5.21 million to these projects. The LOF program is administered by the LDWF and helps Louisiana become more competitive in securing grant opportunities.

Projects selected for funding:

Project Name	Project Location	Organization	Funding Amount Requested	Match Funds	Total Project Amount
Bayou L’Ours Phase V Terraces	Golden Meadow, Lafourche Parish, LA; 29°24’44.71″N, 90°8’52.90″W	Ducks Unlimited / Partner with Lafourche Parish	$213,500.00	$3,485,641.00	$3,699,141.00
Enhancing Wood Duck Habitat in Pearl River WMA through Duck Box Installation and Community Ed.	Pearl River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) below Indian Village Road on West and Middle Pearl River	Southern Quacker Wildlife Conservation (SQWC) / Partner with LDWF	$8,000.00	$6,000.00	$14,000.00
Enhancing Mottled Duck Breeding Habitat in Southwest Louisiana	Multiple parishes in Southwest Louisiana	Ducks Unlimited / Partner with LDWF	$100,000.00	$200,000.00	$300,000.00
Napoleonville Bayou Access and Emergency Boat Launch Project	Bayou Lafourche – right descending bank; Assumption Parish	Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District	$500,000.00	$500,000.00	$1,000,000.00
Beechwood-Bayou Sara Tunica Hills Protection	Beechwood Tract and Sleepy Hollow Tract in West Feliciana Parish	The Nature Conservancy / partner with LDWF	$99,850.00	$99,850.00	$199,700.00
Total			$921,350.00	$4,291,491.00	$5,212,841.00

The Louisiana Outdoors Forever (LOF) Program was created during the 2022 legislative session with House Bill 762 to provide funding for outdoor conservation projects across the state.

You can also sign up for meeting and Louisiana Outdoors Forever press releases by visiting here and selecting an interest of “Conservation.”

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