Health Department reports five new cases of West Nile virus

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Nine newly reported cases of West Nile virus bring the total in Mississippi this year to 33.

Yesterday, the state Health Department says new cases were found in Forrest, Hinds, Jasper, Jones, Lincoln, Madison (three) and Rankin counties.

So far this year, cases have been confirmed in Forrest (four), Hinds (five), Jones (four), Madison (five), Pearl River (six), Rankin (two) counties and one case each in Coahoma, Jasper, Lincoln, 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.