KDHE Announces Second West Nile Virus Death and Additional Cases (Total of 15 in 2006)

West Nile once again confirmed in mosquitoes and animals

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced the second West Nile Virus death of the 2006 season. In addition, six other cases of West Nile Virus have also been reported to the state. These seven latest cases are as follows:

• A resident of Northeast Kansas over the age of 65, who has died from WNV-related encephalitis/meningitis
• A 49 year-old Barton County resident - onset late July; hospitalized
• A 31 year-old Harvey County resident - onset late July; hospitalized
• A 78 year-old Neosho County resident - onset date late July/early Aug.; hospitalized
• A 77 year-old Rush County resident - onset early Aug.; hospitalized
• A 48 year-old Rush County resident - onset early Aug.; not hospitalized
• A 78 year-old Sedgwick County resident - onset late July/early Aug; hospitalized

This year's West Nile Virus case total now stands at fifteen.

In addition, West Nile Virus has been detected in a mosquito pool in Finney County. The virus has also been confirmed in animals in several counties throughout the state, including two birds in Riley County, a squirrel in Reno County, a horse in Logan County and a horse in Ottawa County.

Health officials emphasize that the risk of people catching the disease from the bite of an infected mosquito is about the same throughout Kansas.

"People are at higher risk for getting West Nile Virus in late summer," said Gail Hansen, KDHE State Epidemiologist. D.V.M., M.P.H. "This is the time of year when there is a larger number of mosquitoes that have a had a chance to bite an infected bird, become infected, and then pass the infection on to people."

"Every Kansan should take precautions to reduce the possibility of West Nile Virus infection from mosquito bites," said Howard Rodenberg, M.D., M.P.H., Director of KDHE's Division of Health.

West Nile Virus can be severe or even fatal. The virus can be spread to people by mosquitoes that first bite an infected bird, but it is not contagious from person to person or directly from birds or other animals. 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 considered immune to it.

KDHE recommends Kansans take the following actions to protect themselves and family members:

• Use effective insect repellent with DEET or picaridin on skin
• Wear protective clothing when practical (long sleeves and pants)
• Remove standing water (such as in clogged gutters, discarded tires, or unused swimming pools)
• Use larvicide in water that cannot be removed
• Replace water in bird baths, pet bowls, and wading pools at least every three days
• Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active

Human cases are most common in the late summer and early fall months. In 2005, KDHE confirmed 25 WNV cases in humans, resulting in one death.

Non-neuroinvasive (WNV fever) cases involve milder symptoms of the illness that may include: fever, headache, rash, general muscle aches and weakness, gastrointestinal signs or inflammation of the lymph nodes. 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.

All WNV cases, neuroinvasive and non-neuroinvasive, should be reported to the health department.

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