Health officials: 2019's first case of West Nile Virus reported in Smith County

[The following is a press release from the Mississippi State Department of Health.]

JACKSON, Miss. – Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reports its first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2019. The reported case is in Smith County.

In 2018, Mississippi had 50 WNV cases and no deaths. The first case was reported in mid-July.

“This first case of 2019 is a reminder that each year we have WNV cases in Mississippi and that all Mississippians need to act now to reduce their risk of infection regardless of where they live in the state. Most cases occur from July through September, so this is to be expected,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. “While most infected people recover without any long-term problems, some develop a more severe infection that can lead to complications and even death – especially in those over 50 years of age.”

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.

The MSDH suggests the following precautions to protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne illnesses: • Use a mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient such as DEET while you are outdoors. • Remove all sources of standing water around your home and yard to prevent mosquito breeding. • Wear loose, long clothing to cover the arms and legs when outdoors. • Avoid areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.

For more information on mosquito-borne illnesses or to track the current number of WNV cases and locations, visit the MSDH website at HealthyMS.com/westnile.