Category: Health

Kansas health department alerts communities to increased risk of West Nile Virus infections

by Noah Taborda, Kansas Reflector

Topeka — Communities across Kansas are at an increased risk for West Nile virus infections, the state health department announced Friday.

West Nile virus is the most common cause of mosquito-borne illnesses in the country and spreads from the bug’s bite rather than person-to-person contact. Those in the north-central, south-central, northeast and southeast parts of the state are at high risk, while northwest and southwest Kansas are at moderate risk for infection.

Of those infected, about 1 in 5 develop a fever, and about 1 in 150 develop swelling of the brain and, in some cases, die.

“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,” said Dr. Joan Duwve, the state health officer.

There are no vaccines or medications to treat the virus. Those who previously have contracted West Nile are considered immune.

Most infections occur in the late summer and early fall. Thus far, none have been reported in Kansas in 2022.

KDHE recommends using insect repellent with ingredients such as picaridin oil and oil of lemon eucalyptus when going outside, on your clothes and skin. The elderly or those with weaker immune systems are advised to limit exposure during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Kansas Reflector stories, www.kansasreflector.com, may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
See more at https://kansasreflector.com/2022/07/15/kansas-health-department-alerts-communities-to-increased-risk-of-west-nile-virus-infections/

COVID cases up in Wyandotte County

Wyandotte County is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases, according to an announcement from the Unified Government Health Department.

People living in Wyandotte County are encouraged to take precautions to protect themselves and their communities from further spread of the virus, according to a UG news release.

• Wyandotte County had an average of 56 new cases per day, not including home test results, according to the Health Department. Wycokck.org/covid-19

Wyandotte County is experiencing the highest 7-day rolling averages of new cases since mid-February 2022, and the current average is 60 percent higher than the rolling average of new cases per day recorded at this time last year, the Health Department stated.

• COVID hospitalizations across the metro area also have been trending upward since May 2022. https://marc2.org/covidhub/

• According to KDHE data, all new cases in Kansas are the Omiron variant, and the majority of those are the more recent BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the Omicron variant. BA.4 and BA.5 are different from earlier lineages of Omicron (such as BA 1.1 and BA.2, which were more prominent earlier this year). https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas

“We consider an average of 50 or more new cases per day to be a surge of COVID in our community, and Wyandotte County just passed that threshold,” said Elizabeth Groenweghe, chief epidemiologist with the UGPHD. “With the increased number of people testing at home, we believe actual COVID case numbers may be much higher. As people are planning their summer activities, we encourage them to consider wearing a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces, monitor for symptoms, get tested if you don’t feel well, and stay home if you are sick. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on your COVID vaccines and boosters to help prevent serious illness and death from COVID.”

“Taking precautions is especially important now, with the current COVID variants we are seeing,” Groenweghe said. “There are new subvariants, or ‘lineages’ of the Omicron variant that make up the majority of our cases now. Recent data shows that these are different enough that they evade natural and vaccine-produced immunity. This means that people can become reinfected even if they’ve recently had COVID or been vaccinated. Because of this, masks are very important. Vaccines do help protect against serious illness and death from COVID.”

What people in Wyandotte County can do

As individuals and families plan the rest of their summer activities, here are some steps they can take to reduce the risk of getting COVID and spreading COVID to others:

Consider wearing a mask in indoor public spaces. This protection is especially important if you or someone near you is at high-risk for serious illness from COVID. Any well-fitting mask worn over the nose and mouth can help reduce spread of the virus, but higher-grade masks and respirators, like N95s and KN95s, offer the best protection.

Get tested. If you have any COVID symptoms, if you have been exposed to COVID, if you will be traveling, or if you are attending a large indoor gathering or event.
o Find a testing location near you at bit.ly/WyCoCOVIDtest or at KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com
o Order free home test kits to be mailed to you at COVID.gov and AccessCovidTests.org.
o Find free home test kits available for pick-up now in Wyandotte County: ughealth.info/hometest
o Note: The UG Public Health Department does not administer COVID tests at this time.

Stay home if you are sick. If you have symptoms, or if you test positive for COVID, please stay home for at least 5 days. After isolating at home for 5 days, you may leave home if you are feeling better and fever-free, but please wear a mask for another 5 days when around others.

Take precautions if you are exposed to COVID:
o If you recently got your first vaccination series, or if you have gotten your booster: wear a mask for 10 days; monitor for symptoms, and get tested after 5 days.
o If you are unvaccinated, or you’re overdue for your second dose or a booster: stay home for 5 days and get tested after 5 days; wear a mask for 5 more days.

Get vaccinated. If you haven’t received a COVID vaccine, consider getting vaccinated to protect yourself from serious illness or death from COVID. COVID vaccines are recommended for anyone age 6 months and older.
o Search for vaccination sites near you at COVID.gov
o The UGPHD site at 619 Ann Ave in KCK offers COVID vaccines and boosters for people ages 5 and older, by appointment only. Call 913-573-8815 to make an appointment.
o Note: For children under age 5, contact your pediatrician or primary healthcare provider. If you need help finding a provider, call the UGPHD for assistance at 913-573-8815.

Stay up-to-date on COVID vaccines and boosters. Use the CDC’s “Find Out When You Can Get Your Booster” tool to see if you are up-to-date on COVID vaccines and boosters: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html#when-you-can-get-booster

Learn more about vaccines, testing, and the latest COVID guidance at COVID.gov.

  • Story from UG Health Department

Free KCKPS childhood school immunization clinic to be held Wednesday

The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools district has partnered with Vibrant Health to help bring a free childhood school immunization clinic to Harmon High School from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13.

Childhood immunizations are necessary for kindergarten to 12th grade students to attend classes during the academic 2022-2023 school year in the KCKPS.

This clinic is an opportunity for students to get caught up on their required and recommended vaccines, such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rotavirus and more.

Childhood immunizations help protect children from deadly diseases and keep them safe by decreasing the spread of dangerous diseases from child to child. They contribute to ensure a safe and healthy school environment, according to a spokesman.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages. The most common side effects are typically very mild.

Children who attend the KCKPS clinic must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Families must also come with all available copies of their child’s shot records.

Health care providers will also offer the Covid-19 vaccine and booster shots at the immunization clinic.

Everyone who takes part in the immunization clinic will be given a free meal and qualified to enter a raffle (the first 100 people).

The event will feature music, food trucks, ice cream, a live raffle and more.

There is no charge for the immunization clinic. It’s free.

For more information about the childhood immunization clinic, visit the district website at kckps.org.

  • Story from Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools