West Nile Returns To State

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting the state’s third human case of West Nile virus for 2014.

The new reported case is in Rankin County. Earlier, health officials reported cases in Newton and Hinds counties.

The state health department only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public. In 2013, Mississippi had 45 West Nile cases and five deaths.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs says the second case is a reminder of the importance of preventing mosquito exposures, particularly ahead of the active summer months.

In 2012, Mississippi had 247 West Nile cases and five deaths.