State health officials said Friday that a seventh person has died from the West Nile virus in Mississippi.

Health officials said the number of human cases of the West Nile virus has risen to 159 in 2006.

Mississippi ranks seventh in the nation in West Nile Virus cases this year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mississippi recorded a high of 193 cases and 12 deaths in 2002. A low of 53 cases were reported in 2004 but 70 cases and six deaths were reported in 2005.

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

On the Net:

Mississippi Department of Health, http://www.HealthyMS.com