Mississippi confirms first case of West Nile virus for 2016

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi is reporting its first human case of West Nile virus for 2016.

The state Department of Health said in a news release Friday that the confirmed case of the mosquito-borne virus is in Lamar County.

Mississippi had 38 West Nile virus cases, and one of those people died.

The Health Department only releases statistics about laboratory-confirmed cases.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state epidemiologist, says West Nile virus can occur any time of year, but the peak season is from July through September.

A Health Department news release says symptoms of infection are often mild and may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes. In a small number of cases, infection can result in encephalitis or meningitis, which can lead to paralysis, coma and possibly death.