The first human cases of West Nile Virus were reported by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in Kansas Tuesday in two Johnson County residents.
With a significant number of counties in a high risk for infections, two additional counties in the KVOE listening area also have been elevated from moderate to high risk. They are Chase and Morris counties. State Epidemiologist Amie Worthington explains what steps residents need to take to protect themselves in a high risk.
KDHE looks at the number of Culex mosquitoes in the region (mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus), the number of human cases in that region over the past five years as well as the average temperature over the last two weeks. Worthington says the risk season for West Nile virus was a little later than anticipated this year.
Typical symptoms of someone who has contracted West Nile include a fever, fatigue, possibly a rash, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Fever is the most common symptom.
For ways to prevent mosquito bites and West Nile Virus, visit kdheks.gov.
See our related story from Wednesday: KDHE reports first human cases of West Nile
