KDHE Announces State's First West Nile Virus Death in 2005

Three additional human WNV cases reported bringing 2005 reported human cases to 9

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed the state's first West Nile Virus (WNV) death. The victim is an individual over the age of 75 from Southwest Kansas, who devel-oped onset of WNV symptoms in early October. The individual was hospitalized and also had other underlying health conditions. Additional information about the person's identity will not be released due to patient confidentiality concerns.

"We are saddened to learn of the loss of a Kansan to West Nile Virus," said Howard Rodenberg, M.D., M.P.H., Director of KDHE's Division of Health. "Our sympathy and thoughts are with the family at this time."

West Nile Virus remains a threat in Kansas despite cooler weather.

"With cooler weather approaching and lower numbers of mosquitoes present, the West Nile season shows signs of winding down, however, danger exists until the mosquitoes have disappeared for the year which won't happen until we have frost," said Gail Hansen, D.V.M., M.P.H., KDHE State Epidemiologist. "It is still very important to protect yourself from mosquitoes by using insect repellent and wearing long pants and long sleeves, especially at dawn and dusk, and draining standing water where possible."

Additional Human Cases Announced:
KDHE also announced three additional human cases of West Nile Virus in Kansas, bringing the number of reported cases in 2005 to nine. A 21-year-old Kingman County resident had onset of symptoms in late August, and a 44-year-old resident in Stafford County had onset of symptoms in September. Both of these cases are confirmed through laboratory tests. A probable case has also been identified in a 71-year-old hospitalized individual in Wyandotte County. Onset of symptoms occurred in September. Additional identifying information regarding these individuals will not be released due to patient confidentiality issues.

Blood Bank Cases Announced:
KDHE has also received information from blood banks in Kansas. To date, there are 23 individuals whose blood has tested positive for WNV. These blood donations are not used, and the individuals are notified of the results. These individuals may never develop symptoms or could develop symptoms within a week to ten days after donating. Blood donors are given a number to contact if they become ill after donating.

Additional Mosquito/Horse Cases Announced:
Also, positive mosquito pools have recently been confirmed in Finney, Riley, and Seward counties, along with two additional pools in Wallace County. WNV-positive horses have also been confirmed in Barber, Bourbon, Coffey, Edwards, Gray, Johnson, Labette, Marshall and Wabaunsee counties.

In 2005, the virus has been found in Anderson, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Coffey Crawford, Decatur, Douglas, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Gray, Johnson, Kingman, Labette, Marshall, Meade, Mitchell, Reno, Rice, Riley, Seward, Stafford, Trego, Wabaunsee, Wallace and Wyandotte counties. Although these are the counties where the virus has been detected and reported, it is considered to be present throughout Kansas. Human cases in Kansas typically appear in mid summer, then increase through the late summer months and early fall months.

KDHE recommends the following to reduce the risk of WNV:

• Use an insect repellent on the skin. In addition to those that contain DEET, repellants containing Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective in repelling mosquitoes. The label directions for all repellants should be closely followed.
• 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 bird baths, pet bowls, and wading pools
• Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active

Symptoms range from mild (slight headache and low grade fever) to extreme (neurological disease - swelling of the brain or brain tissue) and in rare cases, death. Most people have no symptoms. Once a person contracts WNV, they are immune to it.

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. Because the symptoms are not specific to WNV, only laboratory tests can confirm a diagnosis of WNV.

To be prepared against WNV, take personal precautions including use of an approved insect repellant, and reducing mosquito breeding grounds.

"West Nile Virus is often in an area before it's confirmed with test results and reported," said Rodenberg. "Preventing mosquito bites is the best defense we have against the disease."

West Nile Virus is primarily a disease of birds, spread by infected mosquitoes to people; it is not contagious from person to person. Birds are not being collected or tested for WNV by KDHE. If a dead bird is found, KDHE recommends you wear gloves, place it in a plastic bag, and dispose of it in the garbage.

For more information on West Nile Virus including Kansas cases from 2002 to 2004, go to www.kdheks.gov/westnile/, or call KDHE's toll-free automated West Nile Virus Information Hotline, (877) 228-2287.

Back to KDHE News Release Index