JACKSON, Miss. — Three more people here in the state now have the potentially deadly West Nile Virus. According to the State Health Department, they live in Forrest, Lamar and Rankin Counties.
That means 43 people have gotten the mosquito transmitted disease this year; two of them have died.
Last year 247 Mississippians had WNV and 5 died.
You can reduce your risk of getting the disease by getting rid 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.
