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Mississippi reaches 37 West Nile virus cases so far in 2018

Posted at 5:40 PM, Sep 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-24 18:40:19-04

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Two central Mississippi counties are reporting four new cases of West Nile virus, bringing the state’s total to 37 so far this year.

The Mississippi State Department of Health says in a statement Monday that three new cases are in Hinds County and one is in Madison County.

Mississippi has among the highest numbers of serious West Nile infections nationwide.

Hinds County has reported 15 total cases. Adams, Calhoun, Forrest, Harrison, Madison and Rankin counties have two each.

Counties with a single case each are Attala, Copiah, Itawamba, Jones, Lauderdale, Marion, Oktibbeha, Pearl River, Walthall and Washington counties.

Mississippi reported 63 West Nile cases and two deaths in 2017.

Health officials urge people to reduce risk by using insect repellent, wearing long, light-colored clothes and eliminating standing water.