NATCHEZ — The Mississippi Department of Health confirmed Tuesday a second human case of West Nile Virus in Adams County.

The new Adams County case is one of 15 human cases reported this year, including two deaths — the second of which was confirmed Tuesday — in Madison and Yazoo counties.

“We usually see the bulk of our West Nile cases in August, and peak season in Mississippi runs through September,” MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs said. “Sadly, it’s a reminder to all Mississippians to remain vigilant about protecting themselves and their environments from all mosquito-borne illnesses.”

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease, which — in its most extreme form — can cause dangerous swelling of the brain. Most cases are asymptomatic, but the virus sometimes manifests with flu-like symptoms as West Nile Fever.

The MSDH only reports laboratory-confirmed cases. One case has been confirmed in Wilkinson County this year.

Last year, 45 cases were confirmed in Mississippi, including five deaths.

Louisiana has 52 reported West Nile Virus infections this year, but none of them are in Concordia, Catahoula or Tensas Parish.