Mississippi Confirms 1st 2026 Human West Nile Case in Hancock County
Updated
Updated · KNOE · Jul 1
Mississippi Confirms 1st 2026 Human West Nile Case in Hancock County
3 articles · Updated · KNOE · Jul 1
Summary
Hancock County recorded Mississippi’s first human West Nile virus case of 2026, the state health department said.
West Nile spreads primarily through bites from infected mosquitoes, and summer brings peak mosquito activity, prompting officials to urge extra caution at dusk and dawn.
About 1 in 5 infected people develop fever and symptoms including headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, while most infected people show no symptoms.
Up to 30% DEET repellent, long sleeves and pants, and removing standing water from containers, tires, pools and trash cans were among the key prevention steps urged by MSDH.