More WNV cases identified

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports five additional human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) for 2009, bringing the state’s total to 20 with two deaths. The new cases are in Clay, Harrison (two), Hinds and Monroe counties.

The MSDH reports both confirmed and probable cases to the public.

Since July 2009, WNV cases have been reported in Clay, DeSoto, Forrest (four), Harrison (four), Hinds (three), Lee, Marion, Monroe, Rankin (two) and Washington (two) counties.

Two cases of St. Louis encephalitis have been reported in Forrest County. The Board of Animal Health has reported one case of WNV in a horse.

The MSDH conducts statewide mosquito testing with its most intensive surveillance during the peak WNV mosquito reproduction months of July, August and September. To date, six mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV – four in Harrison County and one each in Jackson and Washington counties.

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