Published: September 03, 2008 11:26 pm      

Mississippi health officials report second West Nile Virus death

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported the second death from West Nile Virus for 2008 on Wednesday.

Also, another 19 new human cases of West Nile Virus were reported bringing the state's total number of cases to 73 with two deaths.

The agency did not identify the victim but said the death occurred in Hinds County.

The new cases are in George, Grenada, Forrest, Hinds (5), Jasper, Jones (4), Leflore (2), Neshoba (2), Rankin and Wayne Counties (6).

A new case of LaCrosse Encephalitis has been reported in Harrison County. The health department reports both confirmed and probable cases to the public.

Since March 2008, WNV cases have been reported in Clarke, Forrest, George, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Leake, Leflore, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Neshoba, Pearl River, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Sunflower, Washington and Wayne counties.

Five cases of LaCrosse Encephalitis have been reported in Adams, Amite, Harrison, Hinds and Yazoo counties. Six cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and one case of West Nile Virus have been reported in horses.