Fifth Case of Human West Nile Virus Confirmed in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed one additional human case of West Nile Virus meningitis in the state this year. The case involves a 62 year old in Seward County. The individual had the first signs of illness on July 20, and was hospitalized, but is now recovering at home. This additional case brings the total confirmed human cases of WNV in Kansas this year to five.

Previous confirmed human cases include a 54 year old in Gray County with West Nile Virus meningitis. The individual had the first signs of illness on July 22, but is now out of the hospital and recovering. The other case involves a 2 year old in Ford County with West Nile Virus meningitis. The first signs of illness appeared July 29.

Other confirmed human cases include a 65 year old individual from Sherman County who first had signs of encephalitis and ascending paralysis on July 24. The patient remains hospitalized. A 38 year old from Gray County was the state’s first confirmed case this year, but is out of the hospital. The individual had signs of meningitis with an onset of symptoms July 20.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus are usually mild including headache, low grade fever, and muscle aches, but in rare cases can result in serious illness. Symptoms of severe cases (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of disease.

Evidence of West Nile Virus in animals or mosquitoes has been found in 46 counties so far this year. KDHE has been monitoring birds, mosquitos, and horses in Kansas for the presence of West Nile Virus since May. It was first confirmed this year in a mosquito pool collected May 28 in Crawford County. West Nile Virus was first discovered in Kansas last summer. There were 22 human cases in Kansas in 2002.

"Even if an infected mosquito bites you, your chances of becoming seriously ill are small," said KDHE Deputy Epidemiologist Dr. Gail Hansen. “Nevertheless, we are urging Kansans--particularly older adults and people with compromised immune systems--to take seriously the precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes and to make these precautions a regular part of their daily activities and lifestyles."

KDHE, recommends the following precautions:

• Use insect repellent containing DEET (according to label directions);
• Limit outdoor activities during dawn/dusk when mosquitos are most active;
• Wear protective clothing when outdoors whenever practical;
• Eliminate any stagnant pools of water on your property.
• Repair screens or other areas of your home where mosquitos might enter.

West Nile Virus is primarily considered a disease of birds. It can be transmitted to humans when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human. Usually West Nile Virus only causes mild disease in humans, but in rare cases the virus may cause swelling of the brain (encephalitis), the covering of the brain (meningitis), paralysis, or even death.

Additional information on West Nile Virus may be found at www.oznet.ksu.edu/westnilevirus/

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