Health Department identifies five new West Nile virus cases

AROUND MISSISSIPPI — Five newly reported cases of West Nile virus bring the total in Mississippi this year to 23.

Yesterday, the state Health Department said the new cases were two from Pearl River County and one each from Madison, Tate and Washington counties.

The two newly reported Pearl River County cases became ill sometime in late July through early August but were just recently determined to be positive. The other three cases became ill in mid-August.

So far this year, cases have been confirmed in Coahoma, Forrest (three), Hinds (four), Jones (three), Madison, Pearl River (six), and one case each in Rankin, Tallahatchie, Tate, Wayne and Washington counties.

Two deaths have been confirmed in Jones and Pearl River counties.

In 2010, Mississippi had eight West Nile virus cases and no deaths.