More Human Cases of West Nile Virus Meningitis or Encephalitis
Confirmed WNV meningitis or encephalitis cases total 41 in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Laboratory has confirmed three additional human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) encephalitis or meningitis in the state, bringing the reported, confirmed total to 38. The latest cases include:

88 year old - Jackson County - WNV meningioencephalitis, onset. 9/17
74 year old - Clay County - WNV meningioencephalitis, onset 9/18
63 year old - Wallace County - WNV meningitis, onset. 8/4
(A list previously announced cases is included in the news release.)

Kansas keeps track of the most severe cases of WNV (those with signs of meningitis or encephalitis). It is very likely that many people in Kansas, other than those represented by these 26 confirmed cases, have been infected with the WNV. In some cases, symptoms were not apparent, while in other cases there were symptoms that did not include meningitis or encephalitis.

“We don’t want individuals to wait until they hear of a confirmed case in their county before they take precautions against the disease,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino. “We strongly urge all Kansans to take the necessary precautions against being bitten by mosquitos and to take steps to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitos.”

Public health officials recommend the following precautions to minimize contact with mosquitos and exposure to West Nile Virus:

• Use insect repellent containing DEET (according to label directions);
• Limit outdoor activities during dawn/dusk when mosquitos are most active;
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors whenever practical;
• Eliminate any stagnant pools of water on your property. (Standing, stagnant water is a common habitat for mosquitos).
• Repair screens or other areas of your home where mosquitos might enter. -MORE-

Symptoms of West Nile Virus infection are usually mild and include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

While West Nile Virus can cause severe illness, even death, many people who become infected will never know they were infected, because the disease usually produces no symptoms or health complications in humans.

West Nile Virus is primarily a disease of birds that is transmitted by mosquitos on to other birds, horses and humans. Last year Kansas had 22 human WNV cases with no fatalities, and 794 cases involving horses and mules. More than 300 birds were tested. One hundred three of the 105 Kansas counties reported having WNV in either humans, horses, birds, or mosquitos.

Human testing for the disease is generally recommended only for hospitalized patients with severe symptoms. There is no specific treatment for WNV. People more than 50 years old are most susceptible to serious illness as the result of West Nile Virus. This year testing for West Nile Virus for people with signs of encephalitis or meningitis is being conducted at the KDHE laboratory in Topeka.

For questions about West Nile Virus in humans, call KDHE at 1-877-427-7317. Physicians, hospitals, and local health departments should report any suspicious cases of encephalitis to KDHE.

A toll-free hotline has been set up for Kansans to report dead birds at 1-866-452-7810. The Dead Bird Hotline number has changed and an updated number will be provided soon. (Individuals who submit birds for WNV testing will not be given the results by KSU or KDHE.)

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

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