Some parts of Kansas are at high risk for West Nile virus, state health department warns
Kansas residents should go outside with extra caution these next couple of months, according to the state health department.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued warnings for West Nile Virus infections on Friday. North central, south central, northeast or southeast Kansas are deemed high-risk. Johnson and Wyandotte County residents are in northeast Kansas, so you’ll need to be on the lookout for mosquitoes.
Northwest and southwest Kansas residents are at moderate risk for infection.
“As more Kansans head outdoors this summer, it is important to know your risk and take action to prevent mosquito bites to protect you and your family against West Nile virus,” Dr. Joan Duwve, state health officer, said in a statement.
WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS?
West Nile virus is an illness that causes fevers and is spread to people through mosquitos. It’s the most common mosquito-borne disease in Kansas and the United States.
If you are bit by a mosquito that has the virus, you could also become infected, but the virus does not spread from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Around one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other fever-related symptoms, and about one out of 150 infected people develop swelling of the brain or brain tissue. In extreme cases, the virus can kill you. There’s no vaccine or medication to treat the virus, but if you’ve had it before, you’re immune to it.
West Nile Virus cases mostly occur during the summer and fall when it’s warm outside and mosquitoes are flying around.
HOW DOES KANSAS DETERMINE THE RISK OF WEST NILE VIRUS?
The health department determines the risk level based on the temperatures—mosquitoes breed more in hot temperatures—the number of mosquitos in the area and the number of people infected with West Nile virus.
This week’s high risk was because of the high temperatures and a high number of mosquitoes out and about.
HOW DO I STAY SAFE FROM WEST NILE VIRUS?
KDHE recommends the following prevention measures:
If you go outside, use insect repellent. KDHE recommends using a repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, which includes DEET, picaridin or lemon or eucalyptus oil.
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn hours, so keep the insect repellent on you during these hours. People with weakened immune systems should consider limiting how long they’re outside during these times.
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, barrels and pet dishes that are left outside. You should also replace the water in your bird baths once a week if you have one.
Drain the water out of your swinging tire holes by drilling holes in them.
If they’re not in use, keep kiddy pools empty and on their sides.
Be sure to check in on KDHE’s West Nile Virus tracker to learn about your community’s current risk level.
