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The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued a high-risk warning for West Nile Virus (WNV) infections for north-central, south-central, and Southwest Kansas. Northeastern, southeastern and northwestern Kansas are at moderate risk of WNV infection
West Nile virus can be transmitted to people through mosquito bites, but does not occur not pbad from one person to the other. About one in five infected people develop fever and other symptoms. About one in every 150 infected people develop swelling of the brain or brain tissue that in some cases can lead to death. There are no vaccines or drugs to treat WNV. People who have already had WNV are considered immune.
"Know your risk and take steps to prevent mosquito bites from protecting yourself and your family from West Nile virus," said Dr. Greg Lakin. KDHE recommends the following preventative measures:
- When you are outdoors, use an insect repellent containing an EPA -approved active ingredient on skin and clothing, including DEET, picaridine, eucalyptus lemon oil or IR3535. Follow the instructions on the package.
- Many mosquitoes are more active at dusk and dawn. Make sure to use an insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants, or plan to stay indoors during these hours.
- Elderly or debilitated people should consider limiting their exposure to the outdoors at dusk and dawn.
- Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from escaping.
- Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying stagnant water from flowerpots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in the pet dishes and replace the water in the bird baths a week. Drill holes in the tires so that the water runs off. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when not in use.
Horses can also be infected with WNV. Talk with your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse to protect against WNV.
Most WNV infections occur in late summer and early fall. Although no cases of WNV have been reported to the KDHE in 2018, there have been more than 600 cases of the most severe form of WNV and 30 deaths in Kansas from 1999 to 2017.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides http://www.cdc.gov/features/StopMosquitoes/ "> this webpage with additional information on West Nile virus and prevention of bites For questions about West Nile virus or other arboviral diseases, please contact the KDHE Hotline Epidemiology 877-427-7317.
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