West Nile Virus Claims Another Life In Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi State Department of Health has reported a second death in the state from the West Nile Virus as well as four new human cases.

Health officials say in a news release Tuesday that the death occurred in Bolivar County.

The new reported cases occurred in Forrest, Hinds and Rankin counties. These new reported cases bring the state total for 2013 to 12 cases with two deaths.

So far this year, cases have been reported in Forrest (3), Lincoln, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Wayne, Leflore, Bolivar, Hinds and Rankin counties. The MSDH only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public. In 2012, Mississippi had 247 WNV cases and five deaths.

Health officials are urging residents to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting the virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses.