JACKSON — According to the Mississippi Department of Health, a Copiah County resident was infected by the West Nile Virus this past week. The positive case is one of six statewide cases in 2024.

West Nile Virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms usually include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. People can lower risk of infection by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites with insect repellant and eliminating standing water around the home.

According to the Center for Disease Control, one in five people infected with West Nile Virus actually develop fever and symptoms and one in 150 people infected develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness.

Lincoln County has not had any residents contract West Nile Virus but several mosquito samples have tested positive for the virus. Out of 93 positive mosquito samples, 20 were in Lincoln County according to the Mississippi Department of Health.

Samples are taken from trapped mosquitos in counties where higher West Nile Virus cases have occurred in the past few years. The samples are tested in a lab. WNV positive mosquitos indicate the disease is circulating in the state. All residents should take precautions.

Vector Disease Control International works in Brookhaven to keep residents safe by trapping and testing mosquitos for West Nile, spraying and other treatments.