By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Sept. 18, 2002
Lauderdale County reported its first human case of West Nile Virus on Tuesday the same day the state death toll rose to six with the latest fatality in Jones County.
The number of people in Mississippi who have been infected by the virus now totals 144. Besides Lauderdale County, other new cases were reported in Attala, Jones, Neshoba and Rankin counties.
She said families should check on their elderly relatives to make sure they are taking precautions to keep from being bitten by mosquitoes.
The new cases and most recent death are the latest developments in a West Nile Virus scare that has spread across Mississippi and other southern states since mid-summer.
West Nile Virus is spread among humans primarily by mosquitoes. Health officials are investigating the possibility that the disease also has been spread through blood-product transfusions.
Symptoms are similar to the flu. West Nile Virus also can lead to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and meningitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Mississippi has 77 counties with at least one case of West Nile Virus either in birds, horses or humans. Hinds County leads the state in human cases with 43.
The ages of the people who have died from the disease in the state range from 48 to 84; people who have the virus range from 3 to 97. State health officials won't release the names of people with the virus.
WEST NILE VIRUS TALLY
The Mississippi State Department of Health has identified the following West Nile Virus cases since July 19:
255 birds, including six in Lauderdale County.
163 horses.
144 people in 40 counties, including Lauderdale, Clarke, Jasper, Jones, Newton and Neshoba.
Six deaths, including two in Hinds County and one each in Jones, Madison, Pike and Washington counties.
Six mosquito pools.
Find the latest Mississippi facts about West Nile Virus at http://www.msdh.state.ms.us. The Mississippi State Department of Health also has a toll-free West Nile Hotline during weekday business hours at (877) 978-6453.