Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor

Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 19, 2001

Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-5795

State Health Officials Implement Pre-emptive Strategy for West Nile Virus

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Kansas State University officials met recently to discuss plans for West Nile Virus surveillance in Kansas over the next year. The partnership of KDHE and Kansas State University will maximize the resources currently available for West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Birds, especially crows and other scavenger birds, are susceptible to West Nile Virus and usually die within 2-3 weeks of infection. Dead birds cannot transmit the virus, but rather serve as indicators that the West Nile Virus is around. The virus in not spread from bird to person or person to person.

"So far, West Nile Virus has not been found in Kansas," said KDHE State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Gail Hansen. "However, we want to have a system in place before it happens to allow us to take immediate steps to help safeguard the health of the citizens of Kansas."

Entomologists working with KDHE have already begun mosquito collection and limited sentinel bird blood collection and testing throughout the state. The plan will enhance and refine those activities. Added biologists, veterinarians, and other researchers will continue mosquito testing and add systematic dead bird testing. The veterinary diagnostic lab at Kansas State University will continue to work with KDHE on all animals with diseases that may be transmitted to humans.

Many types of mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, but the mosquito most likely to carry the virus is Culex spp, which prefers to feed on birds rather than on mammals. From ten to 14 days after a mosquito has bitten an infected bird, the mosquito can transmit the virus to humans and other animals when biting them to take blood. During feeding, the mosquito injects the virus into the animal or human, where it multiplies and can cause illness.

While there is no human vaccine for West Nile Virus encephalitis, there are many ways to reduce the risk of becoming infected. They include:

• Apply insect repellant that contains the active ingredient DEET to exposed skin, following the manufacturer’s label. Avoid applying repellant to children under two years of age or onto the hands of older children to avoid irritation of the eyes and mouth.
• Spray clothing with repellants that contain DEET or permethrin because mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.
• Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors at dusk or in the evening.
• Maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of buildings.
• Drain standing water in the yard. Empty water from mosquito breeding sites such as pet bowls, bird baths, clogged rain gutters, discarded tires, buckets, swimming pool covers, and similar objects in which mosquitoes can lay eggs.

Vitamin B and ultrasonic devices have NOT been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.