EDGARD — Positive cases of the West Nile Virus in Edgard and Wallace were detected last week, according to St. John Mosquito Control.

Parish officials said personnel are inspecting the immediate sampling area and continuing outward for an approximate one- to five-city block area depending on the geographic location, the topography and the surrounding conditions in an effort to locate the breeding sites.

Once the breeding sites are located, St. John Mosquito control will address the sites as necessary, St. John officials said.

Residents in the immediate area of the sampling site will receive information regarding the heightened potential for encephalitis infection, with recommendations for personal protection and yard sanitation.

Additional spraying took place through Sunday.

Parish officials said the summer months are peak times for mosquitoes, adding all residents are encouraged to take additional precautions when outdoors.

Safety Tips:

• If outside, wear a mosquito repellent containing DEET. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend use of repellents with more than 30 percent DEET for children. Insect repellents are not recommended for children younger than 2 months of age.

• Apply repellent on exposed skin and clothing.

• Do not apply under clothes or on broken skin.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors for long periods of time.

• Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.

Protecting Your Home

• Dispose of tin cans, ceramic pots and other unnecessary containers.

• Turn over wheelbarrows, plastic wading pools, buckets, trash cans, children’s toys or anything that could collect water.

• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.

• Check and clean roof gutters routinely, as they can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.

Officials also suggested aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with fish, as water gardens can become major mosquito producers if allowed to stagnate.

Swimming pools not being used should also be cleaned and chlorinated.