JACKSON — The Mississippi State Department of Health is confirming two more cases of West Nile virus, bringing the year’s total to 23.
The new cases are in Calhoun and Hinds counties.
Hinds has reported nine total cases. Adams, Calhoun and Forrest counties have two each.
Counties with a single case each are Copiah, Itawamba, Jones, Madison, Marion, Oktibbeha, Pearl River and Washington.
Mississippi reported 63 West Nile cases and two deaths in 2017.
The mosquito-borne infections generally occur from July to December. Health officials urge people to reduce risk by using insect repellent, wearing long, light-colored clothes and eliminating standing water around their homes.
Most infected people don’t get symptoms. About three in 10 develop flu-like illness, and less than 1 percent develop dangerous brain or nervous system infections.
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