Tenth Case of Human West Nile Virus Confirmed in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed the tenth case of human case of West Nile Virus meningitis or encephalitis in the state this year. To date, the state has had one West Nile Virus death.

The latest case involves an 83 year old individual with West Nile Virus meningitis from Sherman County. The individual who first experienced symptoms August 1 is out of the hospital and in rehabilitation.

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.

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.

Evidence of West Nile Virus in animals or mosquitoes has been found in several Kansas 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.

Previous human cases of WNV in 2003 include:

93 year old in Butler Co. - WNV meningitis - onset of symptoms Aug. 10 (death)
41 year old in Cloud Co - WNV meningitis - onset Aug. 8
79 year old in Pratt Co. - WNV encephalitis - onset Aug. 4
53 year old in Decatur Co. - WNV meningitis - onset July 30
62 year old in Seward Co. - WNV meningitis - onset July 20
54 year old in Gray Co. - WNV meningitis - onset July 22
2 year old in Ford Co. - WNV meningitis - onset of symptoms July 29
65 year old in Sherman Co. - WNV encephalitis, ascending paralysis - onset July 24
38 year old in Gray Co. - WNV meningitis - onset July 20 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

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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