KDHE Home - News 2002 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 5, 2002
Contact: Sharon Watson, 785-296-5795
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed four additional human cases of West Nile Virus in the state, while two additional suspect cases tested negative for the virus. This brings the total number of human WNV cases in Kansas to 19 this year. All have survived.
One case in Pratt County
50 year old, onset of symptoms 9/27/02
One case in Ellis County
69 year old, onset of symptoms 9/24/02
One case in Clay County
54 year old, onset of symptoms 9/15/02
One case in Shawnee County
73 year old, onset of symptoms 8/26/02
Previously identified and confirmed cases include: three cases in Rice County, three cases in Reno County, two cases in Johnson County, one case in Smith County, one case in Pratt County, one case in Wyandotte County,one case in Shawnee County, one case in Clay County, one case in Harper County, and one case in Ellis County. All of the patients survived.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human.
It cannot be transmitted from person to person, except in rare cases involving organ transplants
and blood transfusions. The illness may cause flu-like symptoms in humans, such as headache, swollen
glands, and muscle aches, as well as a rash. Usually West Nile Virus only causes mild disease in humans,
but in rare cases the virus may cause swelling of the brain (encephalitis), severe muscle weakness,
and even death. People more than 50 years old are most susceptible to serious illness as the result
of West Nile Virus.
Through surveillance efforts, KDHE confirmed 793 Kansas horses and mules tested positive for West Nile Virus, as did 170 birds and 21 mosquito pools (from 6 counties).
Mosquito control and protection is the best defense against West Nile Virus. With cold weather, mosquitos will not be a problem, so West Nile Virus is not expected to reappear in Kansas until next summer.