BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State health officials have confirmed nine new West Nile virus cases this week, but no deaths related to the disease.

So far, there have been 321 West Nile cases and 12 deaths reported this year.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals said Friday that there are four new neuroinvasive cases — the most serious type. One each was reported in East Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Terrebonne and Tangipahoa parishes. There are five new milder West Nile fever cases, in which patients report flu-like symptoms. One each was reported in Beauregard, Bossier, East Baton Rouge, Iberia and Pointe Coupee parishes.

Vernon Parish reported one new asymptomatic case, which means the victim shows no symptoms. The cases are typically detected through blood donations or in the course of other routine medical tests.

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