Large swarm of West Nile mosquitoes in Mississippi

west-nile-virusJACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi State Department of Health has identified an unusually large swarm of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus in Hinds County.

Out of the 13 mosquito trappings conducted in Hinds County and in Jackson, 11 of those have been found to contain mosquitoes carrying the virus.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi’s state epidemiologist, said in a news release those findings are alarming but points out that there’s no specific reason for those results.

In order to avoid mosquito bites, MSDH suggests removing pools of standing water where mosquitoes breed around yards and homes, to wear clothing that is long, loose and light colored, and to use EPA-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET while outdoors.

This year, four cases have been identified in Grenada, Lamar, Rankin and Hinds Counties, but MSDH warns that all Mississippians, not just the ones in the areas reported, are possibly at risk to catch the virus.

The months of July, August and September are the most common time for West Nile Virus activity.

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