Lowndes County is one of 21 counties in the state to have a confirmed report of West Nile Virus this year.
The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed three new cases of the virus Monday, including Lowndes County’s — the third year in a row a confirmed case has been recorded in Lowndes County.
Forty such cases have been recorded in humans in 2014, including five deaths, according to MDAH.
Statewide, there were 45 total reports in 2013 and 247 in 2012.
In the past 12 years, 11 cases have been reported in Lowndes County — two in 2012, five in 2006 and two in 2002.
Peak season for West Nile cases begins in July and typically ends in September, according to MSDH reports. Preventative measures that can be taken to avoid contracting the virus include wearing repellent and long pants and shirts in the early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes, which carry the virus, are most active. Draining areas around residences where water stands is also necessary to deter mosquitoes from having places to breed, such as concentrated pockets of water in spots around the home including gutters and puddles, according to MSDH reports.
According to the Center for Disease Control, about 80 of 100 people who have contracted West Nile don’t have symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they begin three to 14 days after the bite. CDC data indicates mild symptoms include headaches, body aches, fever, rash, fatigue and loss of appetite. In rare, more severe cases that can last for weeks or months, high fevers, paralysis, confusion, reduced attention to surroundings, convulsions and comas were symptoms.
Four Mississippi counties have more than one confirmed report of West Nile. Of those, Hinds County is the one with the most with nine cases, followed by Forrest County with six. The five deaths were reported from Coahoma, Forrest, Lee, Madison and Yazoo counties.
MSDH only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
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