Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) confirms the death of a Madison County resident from West Nile virus (WNV), the second Mississippi death from WNV in 2014. New human cases were also reported in Adams, Bolivar, Covington, Forrest, and Rankin counties.
So far this year, a total of 15 human WNV cases have been reported in the following counties: Adams (2), Bolivar (1), Covington (1), Forrest (1), Hinds (2), Madison (1), Newton (1), Rankin (4), Yazoo (1), and Wilkinson (1) counties. WNV deaths have occurred in Madison and Yazoo counties.
The MSDH only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public. In 2013, Mississippi had 45 WNV cases and five deaths.
“We usually see the bulk of our West Nile cases in August, and peak season in Mississippi runs through September,” said Dr. Thomas Dobbs, MSDH State Epidemiologist. “Sadly, it’s a reminder to all Mississippians to remain vigilant about protecting themselves and their environments from all mosquito-borne illnesses.” For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
