State health officials report two new human cases of West Nile virus in Mississippi, bringing the total so far this year to seven.

The Mississippi State Department of Heath said the new cases occurred in Hinds and Jones Counties. Jones County has had two reported cases so far this year.

The department also reported one case of LaCrosse encephalitis, in Yazoo County.

LaCrosse virus cases are occasionally reported in Mississippi, with the most recent case being reported in 2005. The illness, also transmitted by mosquitoes, is generally mild with less than one percent mortality.

Since March, West Nile cases have been reported in Hinds, Lincoln, Forrest, Jones and Madison counties. Symptoms of the disease may include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes.

West Nile infection can cause encephalitis or meningitis in a small number of people. Those illnesses can lead to paralysis, coma and possibly death.

The LAC virus circulates among small rodents, such as squirrels and chipmunks, by way of mosquito bites.