BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirmed a new case of West Nile Virus this week.

There have been a total of 55 total cases in the state so far this year with 34 cases of neuroinvasive disease, seven of West Nile fever and 14 asymptomatic cases.

DHH also confirmed two additional West Nile Virus deaths, which brings the total number of deaths this year to four. One of those recorded deaths happened in the Capital Area region designated by the department.

Even as temperatures cool, Louisiana health officials urge residents to remain vigilant in the face of the potential threat presented by the virus in all of its forms.

“There should be a continued level of concern if you are outdoors or if your house is not adequately protected from mosquitoes,” said DHH State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry. “Even though the weather is getting cooler, we should continue to protect ourselves against infections. West Nile Virus cases have been reported as late in the year as December.”

DHH has tracked West Nile Virus for more than a decade, to view full statistics for this year and past years visit their website.