Officials have confirmed the second death from a human case of West Nile virus in Mississippi this year.
On Friday, the Mississippi State Department of Health issued a release about the death. While the MSDH does not provide details on the identity, age, gender, or location of the death, it did note that the patient had several underlying health conditions. The first death, confirmed on Aug. 15, was also a patient with underlying health conditions.
So far in 2024, there have been 27 human cases of West Nile virus reported in Mississippi. Over half the cases have come from central Mississippi with Rankin (6), Hinds (5), and Madison (5) counties leading the count.
According to healthcare experts, the virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mississippians are encouraged to take the following precautions to protect themselves:
- Stay indoors or take personal protective measures, especially between dusk and dawn, which are peak mosquito-biting times.
- Use an EPA-approved mosquito repellent with active ingredients such as DEET or picaridin. Products with up to 30 percent DEET will provide adequate protection under most conditions. Higher concentrations will provide longer-lasting protection. Use DEET concentrations of 10 percent or less on children ages 2-12. For children under 2 years old, parents should consult their pediatrician.
- Wear long-sleeved, long-legged clothing with socks and shoes when practical.
- Dispose of outdoor tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers.
- Remove all discarded tires on the property.
- Close garbage can lids.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs.
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