Infectious diseases remain a significant public health focus, requiring community awareness and coordinated response efforts. Understanding these diseases - how they spread and how to prevent them is crucial for maintaining public health. The New Orleans Health Department actively monitors and responds to various contagious diseases that can affect our community, with particular attention to seasonal and emerging health challenges.
Current Priority Diseases
West Nile Virus
- Follow New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board on social media (@nolamosquito) for the latest updates on mitigation locations.
- As of August 19, 2025, there have been 2 human cases of neuroinvasive West Nile Virus in Orleans Parish.
- Approximately 80% of individuals with West Nile Virus will have no symptoms, but 20% may develop flu-like symptoms. A very small percentage of individuals will develop neuroinvasive cases.
- NOHD recommends that all residents to "tip and toss" all sources of standing water (buckets, flower pots, toys, etc) to reduce possible breeding sites.
- Healthcare provider resources for West Nile Virus:
Measles
- As of November 10, 2025, there have been three travel-associated cases of measles in the Greater New Orleans area.
- Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases in the world.
- The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is available to protect against the virus.
More information about measles
Respiratory Virus Season Information
Influenza
- The flu is a seasonal respiratory illness that typically peaks between October and May, with January and February seeing the highest number of cases.
- It can cause fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue.
- The flu can be particularly severe for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions.
- Annual vaccination provides the best protection against influenza, along with proper hand washing and staying home when sick.
- For more information about 2025-2026 flu vaccines recommendations, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/2025-2026.html.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends annual influenza vaccination of all children without medical contraindications starting at 6 months of age.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- COVID-19 continues to evolve as a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. While the public health emergency has ended, ongoing vigilance remains important. The virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
- Symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness, including fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.
- Prevention strategies include vaccination, good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick.
- The CDC has not released specific recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 season.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following:
- Infants and children 6 to 23 months of age are at high risk for severe COVID-19. The AAP recommends all infants and children in this age group who do not have contraindications receive 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine, as follows:
- Those who are previously unvaccinated should receive an initial vaccine series.
- Those who are previously vaccinated but did not complete their initial vaccine series should complete their initial vaccine series.
- Those who are previously vaccinated and completed their initial series should receive a single dose. This dose should be administered at least 8 weeks after the last dose was received.
- Those with a previous asymptomatic infection or symptomatic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 should also receive COVID-19 vaccination.
- Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are moderately or severely immunocompromised require 2 or more doses of age-appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine depending on previous vaccination status. Refer to the AAP Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for dosing recommendations.
- The AAP recommends a single dose of age-appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine for all children and adolescents 2 through 18 years of age in the following risk groups regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination status:
- Persons at high risk of severe COVID-19
- Residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings
- Persons who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19
- Persons whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19
- Children 2 through 18 years of age not included in the risk groups above whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19 should be offered a single dose of age-appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. This dose should be administered at least 8 weeks after the last dose was received.
- Any available COVID-19 vaccine appropriate by age and health status that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration through a biologics license application or authorized through emergency use authorization can be used. The most updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine that is available should be used.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
- However, older adults and young children are more likely to develop severe symptoms. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States.
- Vaccines are available for pregnant individuals to protect infants and young children, as well as for older adults.
- For more information on RSV vaccinations, please review the CDC RSV Immunizations page.
For more information on the safety and efficacy of flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines in pregnant individuals, children, and immunocompromised populations, watch this video from the Vaccine Integrity Project: From Data to Decisions: The Evidence Base for 2025 Fall/Winter Immunizations.
Pertussis/Whooping Cough
- As of late March 2025, there have been 164 cases of pertussis identified in Louisiana.
- Two (2) young infants have died from pertussis in the last 6 months.
- Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordatella pertussis. It can affect individuals of all ages, but can be most serious for infants who are less than 1 year old.
- The CDC recommends people of all ages get the whooping cough vaccine. DTaP and Tdap vaccines protect against tetanus and diphtheria.
- DTaP - recommended for children younger than 7 years of age
- Tdap - recommended for older children, teens, and adults.
- Pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester of any pregnancy.
- Babies and children younger than 7 years old receive DTaP vaccine a total of five times:
- 2 months of age
- 4 months of age
- 6 months of age
- 15 to 18 months of age
- 4 to 6 years of age
- Pre-teens should receive a Tdap vaccine.
- If you have questions about getting vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider.
Prevention and Community Response
These diseases, while different in their specific characteristics, share common prevention strategies:
- Regular hand washing
- Staying home when sick
- Keeping up to date with recommended vaccinations
- Maintaining awareness of local disease activity
- Seeking medical attention when symptoms develop
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Providers
There are many clinics throughout the greater New Orleans area that are enrolled VFC providers. See below for a map of current locations.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Children through 18 years of age that meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible for VFC: Medicaid Eligible, Uninsured, American Indian or Alaskan Native - as defined by the Indian Health Services Act.
- Underinsured children are eligible to receive vaccine only if they are served by a Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Clinic or Office of Public Health, Parish Health Unit. (Underinsured - a child whose health insurance benefit plan does not include vaccinations.)
- Children whose health insurance covers the cost of vaccinations are not eligible for VFC program benefits, even when a claim for the cost of the vaccine and its administration would be denied, if submitted to the insurance carrier for payment, because the plan's deductible had not been met.
For more information on the VFC program, go to the Louisiana Department of Health's page - https://ldh.la.gov/immunization-program/louisiana-vaccines-for-children-vfc.