The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting the first human case of West Nile Virus for the 2025 mosquito season and urges all Mississippians to protect themselves from mosquito bites. This first case was confirmed in Rankin County. In 2024, Mississippi recorded 59 confirmed human cases and eight deaths related to WNV.

West Nile virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people (8 out of 10) infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

The summer is prime time for mosquitos to feast and potentially spread illnesses lik

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