3 human West Nile cases reported in Warren County|[9/16/06]

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 16, 2006

Three people in Warren County are among the 35 new cases of West Nile virus in humans across the state reported Friday by the Mississippi Health Department.

In previous news releases, the health department reported that two dead birds that were confirmed to be infected with the West Nile virus had been found in Warren County.

The department said 29 of the 35 cases reported Friday were newly confirmed.

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In addition to Warren County, new cases were reported in nearby Copiah, Madison, Rankin and Hinds.

Six of the 35 new cases were previously undetermined and were retested. The closest of those six were in Rankin and Copiah counties.

Diane Gawronski is director of public relations at River Region Medical Center, the only hospital in Warren County.

She said Friday she had no knowledge of any of the local victims being treated at River Region.

The Warren County Health Department said late Friday that the person with knowledge of local cases was out of the office until Monday.

The newly reported cases brought the total of Mississippi human cases to 108 with four of them resulting in death. This time last year, there had been 57 human cases with four deaths.

&#8220Traditionally, July through September is the peak season for WNV,” said Dr. Brian Amy, state health officer. &#8220It is important to continue to practice personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites.”

Those protective measures consist of removing standing water; avoiding mosquito-prone areas, especially at night when the insects are most active; wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants; and applying mosquito repellent.

Symptoms of infection with WNV are often mild or flu-like and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes. In small numbers of people, the infection can result in meningitis or encephalitis which can lead to paralysis, coma or death.