House Bill 559

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 3-3-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE THE SECOND WEEK OF APRIL EACH YEAR AS "THE PHILLIP CAMERON HENDRY MISSISSIPPI MOSQUITO AND WEST NILE VIRUS AWARENESS WEEK"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, warming temperatures combined with late spring rains create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, including the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus; and

WHEREAS, mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus, which is caught by them from infected birds, can transfer it to humans and other animals, and humans infected with the virus, particularly children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly, may become seriously ill; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi had no deaths but eight reported human cases of West Nile Virus in 2021, seven reported cases in 2020, 15 reported cases in 2019 and 50 reported cases in 2018 and in 2017, the state had 63 cases with two deaths; and

WHEREAS, most cases reportedly occur between July and September, and infected persons may experience symptoms including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes; and

WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that all public schools teach prevention of West Nile Virus in the health, science and biology classes and include insect repellent as part of the school supplies that are in each classroom at the start of the school year, particularly for the elementary grades; and

WHEREAS, managing mosquitoes has been a function of the State Department of Health, and West Nile Virus awareness is a related public health issue: NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 3-3-67, Mississippi Code of 1972:

3-3-67. The second week of April each year is designated as "The Phillip Cameron Hendry Mississippi Mosquito and West Nile Virus Awareness Week" to promote awareness of the importance of effectively managing mosquitoes and the prevention of West Nile Virus.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.