JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi State Department of Health is reporting 12 new human cases of West Nile virus.

The new cases were reported in Coahoma (1), Forrest (1), Hancock (1), Lauderdale (1), Lowndes (1), Madison (1), Pearl River (1), Rankin (3), Walthall (1), and Wayne (1) counties, bringing the state total to 225 cases and five deaths.

This is the highest number of WNV cases ever reported in Mississippi.

In 2011, Mississippi had 52 West Nile virus cases and five deaths. The Health Department only reports laboratory-confirmed cases to the public.

Online:

Mississippi State Department of Health, http://www.HealthyMS.com/westnile

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