Virus

After a wetter than normal spring, things are starting to dry out. And with heat and humidity comes bug season. Mosquitoes have been hidden away for longer than usual. But just in the last week, that's changed, and quickly. Sedgwick County says the area has seen mosquito populations more than double. These mosquitoes can potentially spread West Nile virus. Last year, 51 cases of West Nile Virus were investigated by the Sedgwick County Health Department. There were 57 statewide.

Just about everyone carries around the Shingles Virus. When it wakes up, it brings a red blistery rash...and a lot of pain. Anyone who's had chicken pox has the virus inside them. FactFinder 12 Investigator Brian Heap talks about how you can keep from getting it tonight on Eyewitness News at Ten.

By Eyewitness News (TOPEKA, Kan.) A 71-year-old woman from northeast Kansas died from infection with the H1N1 virus. Officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment say the woman at underlying health conditions placing her at greater risk of complications. "The activity level of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus remains low in Kansas. However, it continues to circulate and is still a threat," said Dr. Eberhart-Phillips. "We are watching this virus closely, particularly in light of the increased activity that states in the southeastern part of the country are reporting.

There are now 28 reported cases of West Nile Virus in Sedgwick County, those are new numbers from the County Health Department. Director Claudia Blackburn is still waiting for final confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control, but she expects it to come in next week. West Nile is most often spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. About 80% of people infected with the virus will not show any symptoms. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting and sometimes a skin rashon the chest, stomach and back.

Many diseases common to cats can be prevented in two ways: by keeping your cat indoors, and by having your cat vaccinated according to your veterinarian's advice. Common feline illnesses include the following: Upper respiratory infections (URIs). URIs are similar in many ways to the common cold in humans and produce many of the same symptoms: sneezing, runny nose and eyes, reddened eyes, fever, and decreased appetite. However, URIs can be much more serious than common colds—they can be fatal if left untreated.

By Nathan Navrat (WICHITA, Kan.) A 53-year-old south-central  Kansas woman dies from an infection related to the H1N1 flu virus. Seventeen deaths are now blamed on H1N1 in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says the woman had an underlying health condition that put her at a greater risk of complications from influenza. H1N1 vaccines are available in Kansas. Right now, those vaccines are only for those at the greatest risk of catching the virus.

Kansas health officials confirm the ninth death in of a person infected with the H1N1 flu virus. A 62 year-old man from northeast Kansas had underlying health conditions that put him at greater risk for serious complications from the virus.  The H1N1 virus was determined to be a contributing factor in the man's death.  Laboratory testing conducted yesterday confirmed that the man had the H1N1 virus. "This death reminds us that this virus can be extremely severe for people with underlying health conditions," Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas State Health Officer said.

by John Boyd (WICHITA, Kan.) KDHE says a 72 year-old woman from the Wichita metropolitan area has died from infection with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.  The woman's death brings the total number of confirmed H1N1-related deaths in Kansas to 22. KDHE says the woman's infection was confirmed in late November and after her death was reported to KDHE on December 8th.  The woman had underlying health conditions that placed her at greater risk for severe complications of influenza.

It's not the most present danger for troops fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq... but it is a deadly one. A New York area soldier recently died from rabies. He got the disease after being bitten by a dog while deployed overseas. "It's a virus that unfortunately there is no cure for," says Fort Riley medical official Paul Benne. Closer to home, Fort Riley remains on alert...this time it's not the normal threats. A rabies "scare" has medical officials at the post busy making sure plenty of vials of the rabies vaccine are in stock.