TOPEKA (KSNT) – State health officials say several people have been infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) so far this year in Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reports on its website that, as of Aug. 15, it is monitoring six WNV cases in the Sunflower State. The KDHE reports that three cases are in the north-central Kansas region with three more in the south-central part of the state.
WNV is spread by mosquitoes every year and primarily impacts humans and horses, according to the KDHE. An increase in the mosquito population towards the end of summer and early fall usually brings with it a rise in WNV cases.
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The KDHE reports that five of the cases it is monitoring are classified as neuroinvasive, while one other is non-neuroinvasive. KDHE spokeswoman Jill Bronaugh said non-neuroinvasive cases are less severe with infected subjects experiencing flu-like symptoms while neuroinvasive cases are much more severe.
“Neuroinvasive cases are those in which there is clinical evidence of involvement of the central nervous system in the disease process,” Bronaugh said. “These cases are generally more severe and include symptoms such as high fever, inflammation of the brain and/or the tissue surrounding the brain, disorientation, paralysis or muscle weakness, numbness, and vision loss. These cases generally have a longer recovery time and require more extensive medical intervention.”
WNV cases are still low this year as compared to some previous years such as in 2023 when there were 64 reported infections that caused four deaths. Total WNV infections for the last decade can be found below:
- 2024
- Neuroinvasive – 11.
- Non-neuroinvasive – 12.
- Deaths – none.
- 2023
- Neuroinvasive – 46.
- Non-neuroinvasive – 20.
- Deaths – Four.
- 2022
- Neuroinvasive – six.
- Non-neuroinvasive – eight.
- Deaths – one.
- 2021
- Neuroinvasive – 10.
- Non-neuroinvasive – seven.
- Deaths – one.
- 2020
- Neuroinvasive – six.
- Non-neuroinvasive – two.
- Deaths – none.
- 2019
- Neuroinvasive – six.
- Non-neuroinvasive – seven.
- Deaths – none.
- 2018
- Neuroinvasive – 23.
- Non-neuroinvasive – 23.
- Deaths – two.
- 2017
- Neuroinvasive – 12.
- Non-neuroinvasive – 15.
- Deaths – none.
- 2016
- Neuroinvasive – 18.
- Non-neuroinvasive – 19.
- Deaths – two.
- 2015
- Neuroinvasive – 12.
- Non-neuroinvasive – 22.
- Deaths – two.
You can learn more about the dangers and symptoms associated with WNV by heading to the KDHE’s website.
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