One week after it issued high-risk warnings for West Nile Virus across most of the state, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says the first human cases are being reported in individuals who reside in Johnson County.
Four regions of the state remain under a high-risk warning for West Nile, including north-central, south-central, northwest and southwest Kansas. Lyon and most surrounding counties remain in a moderate risk while Chase and Morris counties have been elevated from moderate to high risk. A high risk means many people in the area may become infected with West Nile Virus.
The virus can be spread to people through mosquito bites, but it is not spread from person to person. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. Roughly one out of 150 people develop the more severe version of the disease, neuroinvasive disease, which includes swelling of the brain tissue, and, in some cases, death. There are no vaccines or medications to treat West Nile. People who have had the virus are considered immune.
KDHE recommends you know your risk of West Nile Virus and take action to prevent mosquito bites and protect yourself against WNV including:
*Using insect repellent containing DEET.
*Wear long sleeves and pants during dusk and dawn hours or stay indoors
*The elderly or those with a weakened immune system should consider limiting their exposure outside during dusk and dawn.
*Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
*Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels.
*Horses can also be infected with WNV. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect them against WNV.
More prevention tips can be found here: CDC.gov – prevent mosquito bites
KDHE’s weekly risk level can be found here: KDHE West Nile Virus Risk Level and Surveillance Results.
