Mississippi has 10 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in ‘17

JACKSON — Mississippi health officials are reporting seven new cases of West Nile virus, bringing the state total to 10 this year.

The state Health Department says three of the new cases are in Hinds County and the others are in Covington, Humphreys, Leflore and Perry counties.

Two previous cases were in Forrest County and one was in Rankin County.

Dr. Paul Byers, the state epidemiologist, says in a news release Monday that Mississippi is now at the peak of West Nile virus season.

The department only reports laboratoryconfirmed cases. In 2016, Mississippi had 43 West Nile virus cases and two deaths.

Most infected people never show symptoms. Some develop a flu-like disease. A few come down with encephalitis or meningitis, which can lead to paralysis, coma and even death.