Kansas Reports 12 Additional WNV Human Cases - Total of 29
WNV Activity Reported in 47 Kansas Counties

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced 12 additional human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the state. The new cases were reported from:

Barton Co . - probable case - 20-year-old
Butler Co . - probable case - 33-year-old
Ellis Co . - probable case - 58-year-old
Johnson Co . - probable case - 48-year-old
Johnson Co . - confirmed - 40-year-old
Johnson Co . - probable case - 69-year-old
Reno Co. - probable case - 43-year-old
Rooks Co. - probable case - 62-year-old
Sedgwick Co . - probable case - 18-year-old
Sedgwick Co - probable case - 17-year-old
Sedgwick Co. - probable case - 72-year-old
Sedgwick Co. - probable case - 61-year-old

As we enter the Fall, we are experiencing more WNV virus incidents which means Kansans are still at risk for infection from WNV-borne mosquitoes, " said Dr. Gail Hansen, Acting State Epidemiologist. "Using insect repellent with DEET and draining standing water where possible will help reduce our chances of becoming infected."

Also KDHE confirmed WNV in birds in Montgomery and Riley Counties. Mosquito pools containing WNV were recently found in Barton and Seward Counties. Horses in Montgomery and Osage Counties tested positive for WNV.

Last week KDHE reported the death of a 78-year-old individual with West Nile Virus from Southwest Kansas. Additional information about the person's identity will not be released due to patient confidentiality concerns.

Two blood donors in Kansas were reported with West Nile Virus. The blood banks have done extensive follow up on these individuals and neither individual developed WNV neuroinvasive disease nor fever. The standard blood bank testing process found evidence of WNV infection before the blood was released. No blood products contaminated with WNV were given to patients.

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

A probable WNV case is one in which the symptoms are consistent with WNV, but not all of the relevant tests are performed or available. Confirmed cases have been confirmed through the KDHE laboratory.

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.

KDHE is asking Kansans who find dead birds to call the West Nile Virus Information Line at 1-877-228-2287 and learn how to submit the bird to Kansas State University for testing. In counties where two reports of WNV have been confirmed, no additional bird testing will be conducted and telephone reports are not needed.

Birds being tested include: crows, blue jays, magpies, or birds of prey (hawks, owls, eagles), and must meet the following criteria for testing:

• Bird should not have been dead longer than 24 hours.
• Bird should be intact and should be placed in double plastic bags in freezer until submitted.
• Callers must leave their name and number and will receive a call back with further information on what to do with the dead bird. K-State Extension agents will ship the specimens to a designated testing lab. Test results will not be released to individuals submitting birds, but birds testing positive will be reported on the WNV Web site.

For more information on West Nile Virus, go to www.kdheks.gov/westnile/ .

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