The local Air Force Reserve unit may take part in the fight against the West Nile virus in Louisiana because of special low-spraying capabilities their planes have.

"We received a request from a U.S. senator from Louisiana ... because we're the only unit in the entire department of defense with the capability to spray for insects and vegetation control," said Dan Davis, director of public affairs with the 910th Airlift-Youngstown Air Force Reserve Station at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna, Ohio.

Louisiana has taken the worst hit when it comes to the mosquito-borne virus, which has killed seven people and infected almost 100 people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, 145 people have been infected this year in six states and the District of Columbia.

The division has four planes with the ability to spray insecticides as low as 150 feet.

"They were originally created for wartime to spray over the troops and protect them from mosquitoes, and can be used during peacetime to spray over installations as requested," said Davis, adding that killing the mosquitoes can protect people from encephalitis, malaria and West Nile virus.

Each plane is able to cover about 10 to 15,000 acres an hour, he said.

"It's interesting to note that when we spray at ultra low volumes --- a half ounce will cover one acre of land -- what that means is that the droplets are so small, they adhere to the hair on the legs of a mosquito," Davis said. "Very people-friendly, but not friendly for mosquitoes."

If the call comes, at least six crewmen per plane will be needed as well as additional personnel for the ground crew, Davis said.

Davis said Wednesday they could hear from headquarters at any time to get approval of the mission to send two of their four planes that have the low-spraying capability and that one of the areas the planes might be used in would be the New Orleans region.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.