Kansas Reports Two Additional WNV Human Cases - Total of 31

WNV Activity Reported in 48 Kansas Counties

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

Barton Co. - probable case - 50 - year-old - WNV Fever
Pawnee Co. - probable case - 40-year-old - WNV Fever

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.

Also WNV was confirmed this week in a horse in Atchison County and a horse in Montgomery County . New cases were confirmed in birds in Atchison County and new cases in mosquito pools in Ellis and Linn Counties.

"Despite cooler temperatures, West Nile Virus is still a threat to Kansans and will be until temperatures drop to freezing or below, " 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."

Earlier this month, 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.

A third blood donor in Kansas was reported with WNV. 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

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.

West Nile Virus has been previous reported in humans, horses, birds, and, or mosquitoes in the following counties: Atchison, Barton, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Clay, Dickinson, Douglas, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Franklin, Graham, Gray, Harper, Harvey, Johnson, Kearny, Kingman, Labette, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Lyon, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Montgomery, Morris, Osborne, Osage, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Sedgwick, Seward, Shawnee, Sheridan, Sumner, Wabaunsee, Wallace, Wilson and Wyandotte.

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

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