The Mississippi State Department of Health reports four new human cases of West Nile Virus, bringing the state total to 45 this year. The new cases were in Calhoun and Clay counties and two cases in Lee County.

So far this year, cases have been reported in Bolivar, Calhoun, Clarke, Clay (2), Covington, Forrest (4), Hinds (8), Humphreys (2), Jones, Lauderdale, Leake, Lee (2), Leflore, Lincoln (2), Lowndes, Madison (4), Monroe, Noxubee, Perry, Rankin (6), Scott, Wilkinson, and Yazoo counties. Two deaths have been reported in Forrest and Humphreys counties.

In 2016, Mississippi had 43 WNV cases and two deaths.

Peak WNV season in Mississippi is July through September, although cases can occur at any time of the year.

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.