Mississippi
State health department reports first pediatric flu death of this season in Mississippi
Here’s how to prepare for this cold and flu season
Here are some ways to prepare for this cold and flu season as four illnesses currently circulate the country.
The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed the first pediatric flu death of the 2024-25 season on Friday, Jan. 24.
The department does not provided information about the age, gender or place where the patient died out of respect for the family and their privacy.
MSDH did note that the juvenile had not received a flu shot this year.
“Vaccination is the best protection against flu and the severe outcomes from flu infection,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Renia Dotson said. “All individuals 6 months of age and older are recommended to get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine this season.”
What is defined as a pediatric flu death?
According to the Mississippi State Department of Health news release: “A pediatric death is defined as the death of an individual under 18 years of age.”
How many children have died of the flu in Mississippi?
Twenty-seven kids, including this one, have died of the flu in Mississippi since the 2008-09 flu season.
What illnesses are spreading in my community?
According to a weekly report from the CDC, respiratory illness in Mississippi is still moderate overall.
Emergency department visits related to flu are high but decreasing and ER visits for COVID-19 and RSV are low.
How do I know if I have flu, cold, COVID or RSV?
Feeling cruddy but don’t know what the problem is? This might help.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases lists the following as main symptoms of each:
- Cold: Often comes with a sore throat but can regularly include aches and fatigue.
- Flu: Get ready for aches, fatigue and fever. A sore throat is possible.
- COVID: Main symptoms are having a hard time breathing, fatigue and sore throat. You also might have aches, fever and a loss of taste/smell.
- RSV: Wheezing is the main symptom. But difficulty breathing and fever are also possible.
Bird flu, stomach flu and influenza are all separate viruses.
Who can get the vaccine for flu, COVID, RSV?
Generally, the RSV vaccine can be given to babies who are younger than 19 months old, pregnant people and adults 60 and older.
The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine and following booster shots for anyone older than six months.
It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine this year, but keep in mind it can take about two weeks before the necessarily antibodies are fully effective after the jab. There are specific flu shot doses based on a person’s age, and some people ages 2-49 can take the vaccine as a nasal spray. Check out CDC information or talk to your medical provider to learn the best options for you and your family.
The Mississippi Department of Health offers flu and COVID vaccines at county health departments. Call 855-767-0170 to learn more.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 16, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
02-09-13-18-29
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
Midday: 3-3-2, FB: 4
Evening: 5-9-3, FB: 9
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
Midday: 3-9-2-0, FB: 4
Evening: 9-8-3-6, FB: 9
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
Midday: 05
Evening: 02
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – An Ohio man pled guilty last week to illegally possessing credit card encoding devices in Mississippi.
According to court documents, Sean Matthew Langston, Jr., 33, was arrested in Rankin County on April 28, 2024, following a traffic stop. Investigators said Langston and his co-defendant, John Carleton Johnson, Jr., were found to be in possession of 322 gift cards, 17 reencoded instruments containing stolen bank card data, and two magstripe encoding devices.
Prosecutors said Langston and Johnson could be seen on CCTV footage at various retail stores throughout the Jackson-metro area purchasing gift cards with known cloned instruments.
Langston pled guilty to one count of illegal possession, production, or trafficking in device-making equipment with intent to defraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2026, and faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Langston and Johnson on February 20, 2025. Johnson pled guilty on June 30, 2025, and was sentenced to serve two years in federal prison and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 on November 3, 2025.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
07-10-24-28-33
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
Midday: 3-5-7, FB: 6
Evening: 5-8-0, FB: 0
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
Midday: 5-5-2-5, FB: 6
Evening: 3-1-0-9, FB: 0
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
Midday: 08
Evening: 08
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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