Kansas Reports First West Nile Virus Death

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) confirmed the state's first West Nile Virus death today. The victim is a 78-year-old individual from Southwest Kansas. Additional information about the person's identity will not be released due to patient confidentiality concerns.

"We are deeply saddened by this death, and our sympathy and thoughts are with the family of the victim at this time," said Gail Hansen, Acting State Epidemiologist. "It is our desire that we never have to announce this kind of news, unfortunately illnesses such as West Nile Virus are sometimes fatal."

Hansen added that everyone should be vigilant about taking specific actions that will reduce individual contact with mosquitoes and taking actions to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.

KDHE recommends the following to reduce the risk of WNV:

• Use insect repellent with DEET and wear protective clothing when practical
• Remove standing water - where mosquitoes breed (i.e. clogged gutters or unused tires)
• Use larvicide in water that cannot be drained or removed
• Change water every three days in birdbaths, pet bowls, and wading pools
• Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active

There are now 45 counties with reports of West Nile Virus activity in humans, birds, mosquitoes, or horses.

Hansen urged Kansans to focus on protecting themselves and reducing mosquito breeding grounds rather than waiting for the virus to be reported in their county.

"We simply can't wait to take these precautions," Hansen added. "We must act responsibly and protect ourselves and our families every day through simple actions that reduce our chances of getting bitten by a mosquito and reduce mosquito breeding grounds."

WNV Fever (non-neuroinvasive) cases involve milder symptoms of the illness that may include: fever, headache, rash, general muscle aches and weakness, gastrointestinal signs and inflammation of the lymph nodes with no other likely explanation for the symptoms. Since the symptoms are not specific, only special laboratory tests can confirm a diagnosis of WNV.

Neuroinvasive cases (WNV meningitis, WNV encephalitis, and WNV acute flaccid paralysis) involve more extreme symptoms including severe headache, high fever, difficulty walking and/or talking, coma and even death.

Most healthy people infected with WNV show either no symptoms of illness or only mild symptoms. About 20 percent of those infected show any symptoms, typically seen 3-15 days after the mosquito bite.

KDHE reminds physicians to report WNV cases to the state by calling 1-877-427-7317.

WNV is carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitoes that bite the infected birds, which then transmit it to horses and people. WNV is not transmitted by contact with infected people or by direct contact with infected birds or infected horses.

For more information about West Nile Virus in Kansas call the West Nile Virus Information Line at 1-877-228-2287 or go to www.kdheks.gov/westnile/.

Back to KDHE News Release Index