JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – As of Tuesday, August 27, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has recorded 25 human cases of West Nile Virus, along with one death in Madison County.

Officials said they also recorded 120 positive mosquito samples, indicating that West Nile is “circulating in the state, and that all residents … should take precautions.”

MSDH also tracks the Chikungunya and Zika viruses in this state.

“These viruses typically circulate between either birds or small mammals and mosquitoes. These animals can become infected and even die,” said Dr. Megan Hamner, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), who is board-certified in pediatric infectious diseases. “Most human cases are either asymptomatic or mild. In severe cases, patients may develop neuro-invasive disease [infections of the nervous system], which can lead to meningitis or encephalitis.”

As for the dengue virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory about its looming danger.

“In 2024, there have been small outbreaks as close to Mississippi as Florida and Texas,” said Lora Martin, a board-certified nurse practitioner in the UMMC Department of Pediatrics’ Division of Infectious Diseases. “Cases of malaria have also been identified as recently as 2023 in Florida and Texas. Humans may experience flu-like symptoms when infected mosquitoes bite them.”

According to health officials at UMMC, most species of mosquitoes in Mississippi don’t transmit these diseases. Some can be identified by their markings. Only the females bite animals and humans to take their blood. Males are distinguished by their much hairier antennae, smaller size and other less impressive traits.

Still, applying insect repellents is one way to avoid mosquito bites, but Martin recommends using only those products approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .

Mosquito Protection

• Outdoors, wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and closed shoes, and avoid activities from dusk to dawn – when mosquitoes are apparently at their best, meaning their worst.
• Use mosquito bed nets when sleeping outdoors.
• Drape mosquito netting over baby carriers and strollers.
• If you need to slap on sunscreen, do that before applying insect repellents.

To discourage mosquitoes from haunting your premises, eliminate breeding grounds by saying no to standing water and by making your house mosquito-tight:

• Outdoors
  • Cover trash containers, while also disposing of old tires, plastic and ceramic pots and other containers, along with anything else that can hold water. Keep roof gutters clean and free of leaves for proper drainage. Repair drippy water pipes and leaky septic systems. Fill tree holes, puddles and other low spots in the yard.
  • Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating. Aerate ornamental pools. Consider stocking ponds with mosquito-eating fish. Empty or change water in wading pools, bird baths, horse troughs, pet dishes, etc., at least once every week.
  • Keep grass cut short and trash the trash piles. Keep drains and culverts free of grass clippings and debris.
• Indoors
  • Keep windows and doors shut and use air conditioning when possible.
  • Use screens on windows and doors and repair them if damaged.
  • Empty or change the water in vases, flower pot saucers and so forth. Fix leaky pipes.

“When camping or traveling, use an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin regularly before venturing outside,” said Hamner. “Travelers should also consider treating clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin which is a mosquito repellent that will last for several washes. Clothes should ideally be loose-fitting with long sleeves and pants. If camping or staying somewhere without screened rooms, use a mosquito net.”

For travelers going abroad, there are vaccines available for some mosquito-borne illnesses.

“You should check the CDC Destinations pages . This will help you determine what diseases and health risks are a concern based on your destination and activities,” said Martin.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.