Mississippi reports second human West Nile virus case in Forrest County resident
Mississippi health officials are reporting a new human case of West Nile virus (WNV) from Forrest County. This is the second human case in the state so far in 2013, according to a health department news release June 19.
In April of this year, one case was reported in Madison County.
Aedes aegypti Image/CDC
“While we can’t predict what this year’s WNV numbers will look like, we do know we are now entering our high-risk WNV season, as we typically see more human cases in July, August and September than in other months. We encourage all residents throughout the state to take precautions to prevent infection,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
In 2012, Mississippi reported 247 WNV cases and five deaths.
Nationally, a total of 5,674 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 286 deaths, were reported to CDC in 2012.
Mississippians should take the following precautions to reduce the risk of contracting WNV and other mosquito-borne illnesses year-round: remove sources of standing water, especially after rainfall; and if you will be in mosquito-prone areas, wear protective clothing (such as long-sleeved shirts and pants) during peak times from dusk until dawn, and use a recommended mosquito repellent according to manufacturer’s directions.
Symptoms of WNV infection are often mild and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes. In a small number of cases, infection can result in encephalitis or meningitis, which can lead to paralysis, coma and possibly death.
So far in 2013, Human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from the following states: California, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.
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