Twelve new human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been reported by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Last week, Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties reported three new cases each, while Lauderdale, Leflore and Forrest Counties reported one new case each. These new reports bring the statewide total of human infections to 44. Only one death due to WNV has been confirmed this year.Mississippi reported 184 cases of human WNV infection and 14 deaths in 2006, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Interim state epidemiologist Mary Currier said even though the number of reported cases is down compared to this time last year, she expects more cases to be reported through September.
“We had a lot of cases reported in 2002, and then the number dropped until 2006,” she said. “We could be in a cycle, but we will not know until we can examine data years down the line.”
WNV mainly infects birds, but is also known to infect horses, dogs, cats and other animals. Humans can acquire the disease through the bite of an infected mosquito.
According to the Mississippi Department of Health, examinations of mosquito populations around the state have confirmed 18 infected mosquito pools.
Twelve of the pools come from Forrest and Madison counties, and one is from Oktibbeha County.
Currier said the spread of WNV is not solely dependent on the breeding rate of the mosquito population.
“There are many factors at play here,” she said. “If there are more birds breeding, that means there are more potential hosts for the virus. At the same time, if the local mosquito population is more active than other areas, then there’s more of a chance they could pick up the virus.”
A majority of people infected with the virus is asymptomatic. Others show symptoms that are common with those of influenza, such as fever, body aches and nausea.
Smaller groups of people experience the most severe effects of WNV, such as becoming comatose, experiencing vision loss and paralysis.
These symptoms may last a few weeks, but neurological effects may be permanent. Death can occur in the most extreme cases.
Health and wellness educator at Longest Health Center JuLeigh Baker said 80 percent of infected patients do not show symptoms.
“If the patient is symptomatic, we would perform a blood test 8 to 14 days from the onset of the symptoms to determine if they were infected,” she said. “If a positive result comes back, we would alert the Department of Health and treat the patient’s symptoms since there is no set treatment for the virus itself. If the patient was very sick, we would refer them to Oktibbeha County Hospital.”
State Rep. Mark Baker said he expects the Department of Health to take the lead on addressing the WNV situation.
“Public health is one of the top priorities of the state government,” Baker said. “If the Department of Health asks the Legislature for resources for a plan aimed at WNV, we’d be more than happy to help.”
State Representative Mark Formby also said he would support the Mississippi Department of Health if needed in the Legislature.
“We try extremely hard to follow the advice of the health agencies,” he said. “If legislative action was recommended, we would certainly follow their advice.