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West Nile Virus  Human Cases of Encephalitis or Meningitis
KDHE  website for West Nile Virus	The information posted on this website is only that which has been confirmed and provided to us by the KDHE.  As such, the information adheres to the KDHE guidelines listed below, and is not taken from independent sources such as newspapers or from personal accounts. A probable WNV case is one in which the symptoms are consistent with WNV, but not all of the relevant tests are performed or available. WNV fever (non-neuroinvasive WNV) involves milder symptoms that are consistent with WNV, and require special laboratory tests to confirm the presence of WNV. Neuroinvasive WNV involves more extreme symptoms. Please refer to the CDC website for the details on human cases within the state of Kansas and across the Nation. Los reportes publicados por el Departamento de Salud y Ambiente de Kansas (KDHE) en relación al número de casos de encefalitis o meningitis causados por el Virus del Nilo Occidental, están basados en los resultados de los exámenes confirmativos, proporcionados por el laboratorio del KDHE. Este tipo de exámenes son realizados solamente por pedido del médico tratante, cuando el paciente presenta signos y síntomas específicos de meningitis y encefalitis, los cuales pueden incluir: Confusión, dificultad para hablar, pérdida de coordinación, problemas de la visión o del oído, cambios del comportamiento, mareos prolongados o severos, y dolor de cabeza. Symptoms of West Nile Virus develop 2-14 days following a bit from an infected mosquito: symptoms of a mild infection: fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands.  Most people  infected with the West Nile virus have no symptoms or experience mild illness before fully recovering. symptoms of a severe infection may be marked by: high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and coma Contact your health care provider if you have concerns about your health. If severe symptoms develop, see your doctor immediately.
Maps showing WNV distribution in Kansas and the US (KDHE website)
Check out the CDC website for the most current nationwide information on West Nile Virus.  http://www.cdc.gov
see the news releases from 2003 .
Read the summary for 2002 .
check out webpages from other central states regions: - Colorado - Illinois - Minnesota - Missouri (St. Louis area) - Missouri department of health website - Nebraska - Oklahoma - Texas -check out all the states webpages on WNV

**The information posted on this website is only that which has been confirmed and provided to us by the KDHE.  As such, the information adheres to the KDHE guidelines listed below, and is not taken from independent sources such as newspapers or from personal accounts.

West Nile virus meningitis, encephalitis and acute flaccid paralysis confirmed case report numbers published by KDHE are based upon the results of confirmatory testing performed by the state Division of Health and Environmental Laboratories (DHEL). Such testing may be performed only at the request of a physician who is treating a patient with specific signs and symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis.

These signs and symptoms may include confusion, speech difficulties, loss of coordination, hearing and vision impairments, marked behavioral or mood changes and severe or prolonged dizziness or headache.

Very rarely, acute West Nile Virus infection has been associated with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). AFP presents as a polio-like syndrome without pain or loss of sensation. Patients do not usually have meningitis or encephalitis if AFP is present.

The exact cause of AFP in West Nile Virus has not been thoroughly determined, although anterior horn cell involvement with a resultant poliomyelitis-like syndrome is most likely. Risk factors for developing AFP are not well known, but are being studied. AFP from West Nile Virus must be differentiated from Guillain-Barre syndrome (which can also cause weakness and sensory loss) because treatments for Guillain-Barre are not effective for West Nile Virus and may be detrimental to persons with West Nile Virus. For more information see: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol9no7/03-0129.htm .

For additional information on the symptoms and treatment of West Nile virus, please refer to the following websites:

from the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/symptoms.htm

testing and treatment: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/testing_treating.htm

fact sheet for clinicians: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/resources/fact_sheet_clinician.htm

West Nile Virus . com website: http://www.westnilefever.com/west_nile_virus_symptoms.htm

Health Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/westnile/symptoms.html

Español:  Para información sobre la encefalitis del Virus del Nilo Occidental, en Kansas,  marque aquí (pdf).
Para información adicional del departamento de salud publica de Massachusetts - http://www.state.ma.us/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm
 Pasos que usted puede dar para prevenir la Encefalitis del Nilo Occidental (pdf) y  Encefalitis del Virus del Nilo Occidental (pdf)

Information on West Nile Virus research is available from the following websites:

Medline: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/westnilevirus.html

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/newsroom/focuson/bugborne01/wnile.htm

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00438

Press Releases from around the nation: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research/west_nile/west_nile_media.html