Two Additional Deaths Attributed to West Nile Virus in Kansas
Cases with Meningitis /Encephalitis/Acute Flaccid Paralysis Total 82

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Laboratory has confirmed two additional deaths in the state due to West Nile Virus (WNV) encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). This brings the total of reported, confirmed cases to 82, including five confirmed deaths.

The latest cases include:

94 year old in Pawnee County – onset of symptoms 8/16/03 (Patient died in September)
44 year old in Sedgwick County – onset of symptoms 8/23/03 (Patient died in late August)

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human. Symptoms of West Nile Virus can include headache, low-grade fever, and muscle aches, but in rare cases can result in serious illness causing swelling of the brain (encephalitis), swelling of the covering of the brain (meningitis), paralysis, or death. It is estimated that 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile Virus will develop a more severe form of the disease.

KDHE recommends that everyone in Kansas take the following precautions to reduce their risk of contracting WNV:

• 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.

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

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