JACKSON, Miss., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A second death in Mississippi has been linked to the West Nile virus, health officials confirmed Tuesday.
The latest death was recorded in Madison County, in central Mississippi. Officials previously announced a death in neighboring Hinds County.
Also seven new human cases were announced Tuesday. That brings the total number of Mississippians infected with the mosquito-borne virus to 48.
"Mosquito control remains one of the oldest and most basic public health activities both for disease prevention," said Dr. Ed Thompson, of the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Thompson urged residents to protect themselves and their homes from West Nile virus, by emptying any standing water from containers, such as flower pots, tires and birdbaths, using mosquito repellent, and wearing long-sleeved, long-legged clothing whenever possible outdoors.
The virus also has killed seven people in Louisiana, where at least 85 people have contacted the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 145 people have been infected this year in six states and the District of Columbia.
Also on Tuesday, the number of states that have found the virus in humans, animals or mosquitoes this year rose to 37, when South Carolina health officials announced they had found West Nile in a dead bird.
"We have known for a long-time that West Nile virus would be found in South Carolina since other states such as North Carolina and Georgia have found bids with the virus," said C. Earl Hunter, commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Hunter said the confirmation of West Nile virus in South Carolina should be noted by residents but should not be cause for alarm.
"The chance of becoming ill from West Nile virus is low," he said. "In North Carolina, 15 birds and six horses have tested positive for West Nile virus yet there have been no human cases."
The virus can result in flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, weakness, swollen glands and a rash. In most cases, the virus results in a very mild disease and many people who may be exposed never become sick. It can, in rare cases, cause encephalitis and even death.
West Nile virus was first identified in the United States in 1999 in the New York City area. The CDC's director said Sunday that the spread of West Nile has grown to epidemic proportions.
"It's a fine line between outbreak and epidemic," Dr. Julie Gerberding told CBS' "Face the Nation." "But when you see something that's involving so many people in so many states, it's probably helpful to think f it as an expanding, emerging infectious disease epidemic."
