NATCHEZ — Adams County saw its first laboratory-confirmed case of West Nile Virus this week.

That brings the area total of laboratory-confirmed cases of West Nile Virus to three.

Two cases were previously confirmed in Vidalia.

In its worst cases, West Nile Virus can lead to encephalitis, meningitis or coma. In milder cases, it can result in nausea, headache, vomiting, rash, muscle weakness and swollen lymph nodes. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals states that 90 percent cases of West Nile Virus are asymptomatic.

The virus is a mosquito-borne disease, and health officials say using mosquito repellant and wearing protective clothing during peak mosquito activity — from dusk to dawn — will reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

Homeowners should also make sure birdbaths, tires and other common mosquito breeding grounds aren’t holding standing water.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported that in addition to the Adams County case, 13 other new cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Mississippi this week. This brings the total of cases in Mississippi to 33.

One person in Mississippi has died from West Nile Virus this year. The LDHH reports that two people have died from West Nile Virus this year, and that the state has had a total of 53 confirmed cases in 2012.