West Nile
West Nile virus has killed 18 people along the
East Coast since it was first detected in 1999.
Last summer was the most severe, with 66
human infections and nine deaths nationwide.
Mosquitoes spread West Nile from infected birds to humans,
who can then develop deadly encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.
Humans cannot pass the virus to each other. Symptoms are similar to the flu,
including fatigue and fever. There is no cure for the virus.
Here in Mississippi there have been several cases in horses..
Mississippi (4 counties, 17 equine)
Coahoma County (1 horse)
Itawamba County (2 horses)
Lee County (13 horses)
Prentiss County (1 horse)