NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) – According to the CDC nine cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in the state of Louisiana and while this disease is a growing concern for the United States, mosquito specialists are urging residents to be cautious.

The Zika virus was first discovered in the U.S. in January. Since then 47 states have confirmed cases of the virus including Louisiana. The Louisiana cases were all contracted by people who traveled outside the United States.

“It lives indoors and outdoors. It can breed and hatch in a few drops of water. The eggs can last for months and it can bite four or five people at once so it can spread the disease rapidly,” said Director of the CDC Tom Friedan.

Mosquito Control Contactors Owner Glenn Stokes said the southern, coastal states should be the most cautious.

“The reason for this is they are southern cities and this is where the majority of the mosquito that transmits this can have a longer season. It likes the warm, humid weather with a lot of water and a lot fo rain.”

Stokes said the best way to attack Zika is to eliminate breeding sites. He and his workers have been rigorously spraying several parishes in Acadiana, but they need residents to help out, by emptying things around their homes that hold standing water.Stokes reminds residents that the

Stokes reminds residents that the potential threat of Zika is real, but said residents should not be scared.

“What everyone should do is take the threat seriously but don’t be alarmed.”