The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is warning about mosquito-borne infections spotted in the state, including in Sedgwick County.
Mosquitoes that were collected recently in Sedgwick County have tested positive for the West Nile Virus and the St. Louis Encephalitis virus. West Nile has also be found in all other regions of Kansas.
About 1 in 5 people who are infected with West Nile will develop a fever and other symptoms like headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash. About 1 out of 150 people can develop a severe illness that leads to swelling of the brain or brain tissue that can result in death.
There are no vaccines or medications to treat West Nile. Once recovered from West Nile, the body develops an immunity.
The same mosquito that spreads West Nile is also responsible for spreading St. Louis Encephalitis. Those infected with the virus usually experience no symptoms or mild, non-specific flu-like symptoms.
In some infections of St. Louis Encephalitis, patients make experience a fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, and altered level of consciousness. In rare cases, the virus can cause coma, convulsions, and paralysis.
The best way to prevent West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis is by using insect repellent on your skin and clothing that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Although DEET is the most common and often recommended repellent.
For more about current risk levels in Kansas, click here.
For more information about West Nile and mosquito bite prevention, click here. To learn more about St. Louis Encephalitis, click here.
