Mississippi State Department of Health

West Nile Virus and Other Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
West Nile virus and other viral diseases carried by mosquitoes

  [close]

Mosquito-borne illnesses in Mississippi include West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, Chikungunya virus, and Eastern Equine encephalitis. These illnesses affect birds, animals and humans, causing flu-like symptoms in people who are bitten by infected mosquitoes. Occasionally, illness can be severe, leading to meningitis or encephalitis.

Mosquito Protection

  • Use a recommended mosquito repellent.
  • Cover arms and legs with long sleeves and long skirts or pants.
  • Avoid mosquito-prone areas in the mornings and evenings, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Remove sources of standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed, and make sure window screens are in good condition.

More About Staying Protected

Information and Fact Sheets

WNV Support Group

Persons diagnosed with West Nile virus illnesses are invited to attend meetings of the WNV Support Group. Support Group meetings are sponsored by the Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center.

2022 Statistics

2

Human Cases
(West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases)

2

Counties affected

WNV Deaths by Year

For Health Professionals

Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Five main types of viral disease in Mississippi are carried by mosquitoes, including Zika virus.

For More Information

Links referenced
recommended mosquito repellent    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,957,93,html
standing water    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,597,93,html
window screens    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,597,93,html
Mosquito protection for people and homes    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,597,93,html
Choosing a mosquito repellent    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,957,93,html
Mosquito control (EPA)    http://www2.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol
Complete protection guide for homeowners    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,1097,93,html
Mosquito breeding areas – Tip & Toss    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,1206,93,html
Combata el Mosquito En Su Casa y Su Vecindario    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,0,93,94,html
More WNV information from the CDC    http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
West Nile Virus: Information and Prevention    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,518,93,pdf/WestNileVirus.pdf
Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases brochure    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,510,93,pdf/MosquitoBorneViralDiseases.pdf
Insect Repellents and DEET Tips    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,458,93,pdf/InsectRepellentsAndDEET.pdf
Educational Materials    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,0,93,111,html
Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center    http://www.mmrcrehab.org
Signs & Symptoms – Facts for Clinicians    https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/symptoms/index.html
Mosquito biology and control: The mosquito vectors of West Nile    http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2336.pdf
Identification Guide to Adult Mosquitoes in Mississippi    http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/publications/identification-guide-adult-mosquitoes-mississippi
Setting up a mosquito control program    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,800,93,pdf/MosquitoControlManual.pdf
More clinical information from the CDC    https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html
Zika virus    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,0,399,html
Read more about these diseases    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,3951,93,html
State Board of Animal Health    http://www.mbah.state.ms.us

Find this page at http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/index.cfm

print  close