Mississippi News

First 2024 death from West Nile Virus reported

Aug. 15, 2024 – The Mississippi State Department of Health has confirmed the first death from a human case of West Nile Virus in the state this year. The MSDH does not provide details of the specific age, gender, or location of the death out of respect and privacy for the family, but the patient in this case had several underlying health conditions.

There have been a total of 17 human cases of West Nile Virus reported in the state so far this year. A list of county-by-county cases can be found on the MSDH website at msdh.ms.gov/page/14,0,93,1041.html. (It should be noted the table indicated a West Nile Virus death was listed from Madison County.)

West Nile Virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Bob Bakken

Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.