On Monday, the Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed another human case of West Nile virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases up to 25 for this year. The newest case was recorded in Hinds County, the press release states.

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, there have been human cases of the virus have been reported in 12 Mississippi counties including, Adams, Bolivar, Covington, Forrest, Harrison, Hinds, Lauderdale, Madison, Newton, Rankin, Yazoo and Wilkinson. There were three virus-related deaths reported in Forrest, Madison and Yazoo counties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, the most useful way to elude the West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips regarding the prevention of the virus:

• Use repellents containing DEET.
• Wear long sleeve shirts and pants outdoors.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.
• Remove sources of standing water.
• Support local mosquito control programs, which provide the spraying of insecticides for trucks or aircraft to kill adult mosquitoes.

According to the CDC, most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five people infected may shows signs of fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.

There is no vaccine or specific treatments for West Nile virus available, the CDC website states. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used and in severe cases, some people may need to be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluids, pain medication and nursing care.

For more information about mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the Mississippi State Department of Health’s website at www.healthyMS.com and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov.