JACKSON — Mississippi health officials confirm four new cases of West Nile virus, bringing the state’s total to 30 this year.
The state Department of Health says in a news release Monday that the new cases of the mosquito-borne virus are in Adams, Attala, Copiah and Marion counties.
Seven cases, including one death, have been reported in Hinds County.
Copiah, Lamar and Marion counties have had three each and Rankin County has had two.
Counties with one each are Adams, Attala, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Forrest, Grenada, Jackson, Lee, Leflore, Lincoln, Lowndes and Perry.
The health department only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public. In 2015, Mississippi had 38 cases and one death.
The department recommends removing standing water where mosquitoes could breed, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts outdoors and using mosquito repellent.
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