Two West Nile deaths reported in Louisiana

Two people have died in Louisiana as a result of West Nile Virus infections.

Louisiana's health department confirmed this week's deaths, the first West Nile deaths in the state since 2008, when one person died.

The health department also said the number of overall West Nile infections in the state this year rose by 21 this week for a total of 53.

West Nile infections usually cause no symptoms or relatively mild flu-like symptoms. But, in some cases, the mosquito-borne virus causes life-threatening brain or spinal cord diseases.

The total number of life-threatening cases reported for 2012 in Louisiana rose sharply this week, from 16 to 29.