JACKSON - State health officials Wednesday reported the first deaths in Mississippi this year from the mosquito-transmitted West Nile virus.
Health officials didn't release the names of the two victims but said the deaths occurred in Rankin and Lincoln counties. In 2003, there were 83 human cases of the virus in Mississippi and two deaths.
The latest deaths were among seven confirmed cases of the disease, said state epidemiologist Dr. Mills McNeill.
Besides Rankin and Lincoln counties, positive cases were found in Covington, Harrison, Leflore and Simpson Counties. Two cases occurred in Rankin County, and the other counties had one each.
The virus, which occurs in birds and is transmitted to humans, horses and certain wildlife by mosquitoes, can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. Other possible symptoms are signs of a rash, vomiting and swollen lymph nodes. In certain cases, death can occur.
The Mississippi State Health Department reported five suspected human cases last week. Those five cases are among the seven confirmed Wednesday.
There are three more suspected human cases from Hinds, Holmes and Washington counties. Health officials are waiting for test results in those cases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory in Fort Collins, Colo.
"Our improved statewide surveillance system for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses has helped us successfully detect these cases," McNeill said.
"Strong working relationships with local physicians and hospitals throughout the state demonstrate an active and successful surveillance system in Mississippi," he said.
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