BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions against West Nile Virus, saying Louisiana has had more reports of the mosquito-borne ailment than any other state.

According to the department, the most recent surveillance report indicated there were 53 total reports of human cases in the state this year, with two reported deaths. Those findings were filed Aug. 11. By comparison, only 21 cases were reported at that same time last year.

Of the 53 human cases, nine were asymptomatic, 13 developed West Nile Fever and 31 developed neuroinvasive disease.

Neuroinvasive Disease is the most serious type of illness associated with the virus. It infects the brain and spinal cord. Neuroinvasive disease can lead to death, paralysis and brain damage. West Nile Fever is a milder viral infection in which people experience flu-like symptoms.

You can find more resources for protecting yourself from the virus on the Department of Health's website.