New Human West Nile Virus Cases

THE MISSISSIPPI STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTS THREE NEW HUMAN CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS, BRINGING THE STATE TOTAL TO 58 THIS YEAR. THE NEW CASES ARE IN HINDS, RANKIN, AND SUNFLOWER COUNTIES. THE PEAK SEASON FOR CONTRACTING THE VIRUS IN MISSISSIPPI IS JULY THROUGH SEPTEMBER, ALTHOUGH CASES CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR. THE VIRUS HAS BEEN DETECTED IN MOSQUITOES THROUGHOUT THE STATE, SO RESIDENTS IN ALL COUNTIES SHOULD TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES

• USE A MOSQUITO REPELLENT

• REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF STANDING WATER TO PREVENT BREEDING.

• WEAR LOOSE, LIGHT-COLORED, LONG CLOTHING.

• AVOID AREAS WHERE MOSQUITOES ARE PREVALENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO CONFIRMED CASES REPORTED THIS YEAR, IN LAUDERDALE COUNTY.