Human West Nile Virus: coming soon?
By Eric Clark
Staff writer
Throughout the United States, the growing fear and anxiety associated with the West Nile virus is prompting area health officials to attack the virus by encouraging citizens to take precautionary measures to fend off the viral villain.
While there have been no documented or confirmed cases of West Nile virus found in humans in Marion County, areas such as Butler and Sedgwick counties have reported at least two cases, one being fatal.
As of Wednesday, 17 people have been struck by the virus.
According to Marion County health official David Brazil, it's an epidemic that's likely to have a lasting impact.
"The fact is that West Nile is here, and it's not going away," Brazil said.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the latest cases of West Nile virus occurred in the last three weeks. The victims of the virus include a 41, 45, and 85-year-old.
The Centers for Disease Control said that approximately 80 percent of those who have the virus aren't even aware they have it. Brazil agrees.
"Healthy adults may not even know they have the virus," Brazil said.
Out of the 17 adults that have been diagnosed with the virus, 10 have been over the age of 40.
According to Brazil, the virus attacks those individuals with "compromised immune systems," such as the elderly or youth.
"Prevention is really the best medicine," Brazil said. "We're recommending that people not be outside in the early mornings or late evenings and that they use insect repellent. We're also telling people not to have water in areas where it can become stagnant, such as old tires, bird baths, or children's pools."
The majority of those infected have been exposed to the virus through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. West Nile virus has also been found in horses, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits.
Brazil said Marion County discovered its first positive confirmation of the virus in a horse this month.
"We had a positive test last year, and we do have West Nile (virus) here in Marion County now," Brazil said but stressed that no Marion County resident has been confirmed with having the virus.
While the virus has been fatal in some cases, for most, the risk is low. Less than one percent of those bitten by mosquitoes ever develop symptoms of the disease according to the CDC. But the organization is also encouraging people to use insect repellents when outdoors.
If you think you might be infected by the virus, health officials said it is not necessary to seek medical attention for the infection in most cases. However, those who suffer from symptoms such as severe headaches or confusion are asked to seek medical attention immediately.
