Six new cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Mississippi.

The Mississippi State Department of Health says the additional cases of the mosquito-transmitted disease bring the state's total for the year to 15.

The department says the two of the new cases occurred in Monroe County, with single cases reported in Clarke, Harrison, Lawrence, and Neshoba counties.

Symptoms 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.