Doctors Probe West Nile Case

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Tupelo doctors were investigating on Monday the case of an 81-year-old Columbus woman admitted to North Mississippi Medical Center who they believe may have the county’s first case of West Nile virus.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was admitted to the hospital after apparently suffering a stroke. Doctors believe she may have viral meningitis from either West Nile virus or western equine encephalitis.

Both illnesses are carried and transmitted by mosquitoes.

The woman’s children, who have asked not to be identified, said their mother was doing much better and is expected to make a full recovery. The daughter said that mosquitoes were bad where her mother lives.

As of Sept. 15, the Mississippi Department of Health had reported 25 cases of West Nile virus in the state for 2005.