Virus

Horse owners in Kansas are being warned to monitor their horses for symptoms of a potentially serious disease. The warning follows an outbreak of equine herpes virus. As of May 18, a total of 14 confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Alberta, Canada. For that reason, a major team roping event has been postponed at the Kansas State Fairgrounds this weekend. “A lot of people have called and don't want to take a chance getting their horse sick,” says organizer Jeff Smith.

In between clients, Tahireh Sharifaie sits at the computer inside her Derby hair salon.  She clicks away at Facebook, looking at pictures of friends, keeping tabs on relatives in her native country of Iran, or checking her daily horoscope. "If I'm not on Facebook I feel like I'm bored," she says laughingly. Recently her giggles turned to grumbles when her computer was infected with a virus. "Facebook is renowned for spreading viruses," says computer expert Bill Ramsey.

by Denise Hnytka (SEDGWICK, Kan) Coughing, congestion and sore throats. Many Kansas schools say the flu is spreading quickly, and many students are out sick. In Sedgwick, as many as a quarter of all sixth graders were absent from class last week. To say these kids feel a little under the weather may be an understatement. "A lot of just achy. They tell me their body just hurts," said Jana Blank, school nurse.  The nurses's office at R.L. Wright Elementary School in Sedgwick has become a busy place.

(WICHITA, Kan.) Danyale Lawrence's job as a waitress keeps her asking questions all day. "White, Wheat or Rye toast?" But some questions she doesn't know how to answer, like what she would do if she caught H1N1, since she doesn't get paid sick leave. "Financially I would be down a couple hundred dollars and then school I would be behind within a week. " So she and other workers at Riverside Cafe aren't taking an chances. The restaurant has installed extra hand sanitizer machines on the wall and the owner say he has to keep a close eye on anyone not feeling well.

The Wichita School District notified parents Tuesday afternoon another student had a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus. The student attends Anderson Elementary, has received proper medical care and has recovered from the illness.  The school notified parents via ParentLink phone messages. It plans to do so only in confirmed cases of H1N1 and not if students go home sick or have suspected cases of the disease. So far, four other cases have been confirmed at Price-Harris Communications Magnet Elementary, Coleman Middle School, North High School and at Washington Elementary.

Latest Update: The mother of the six-year-old who died of H1N1 gives more information about her daughter's medical condition. The girl has been identified as Angelina Dennett of rural Atlanta. Her mother, Margaret Dennett, says the girl had a history of severe lung damage from recurring pneumonia and she was not ambulatory. The girl had a tracheotomy and was completely dependent on caregivers. "She would not have died if it were not for the lung disease," her mother told the Winfield Courier.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas officials are issuing a new round of warnings to individuals and families as the state waits for another wave of swine flu cases. The message from officials Tuesday was that Kansans should have enough food, water and other supplies at home to last from three to five days, in case they become ill. They've already stressed commonsense steps to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus, such as frequent hand-washing and staying home once symptoms occur.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas State High School Activities Association isn't ready to join other states in canceling sporting events despite two cases of the H1N1 virus or swine flu in the state. Executive director Gary Musselman says the association has kept in contact with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment about swine flu and will follow its lead on any action. He says KSHSAA is taking a wait and watch approach to the virus. The activities association will follow any directive the state health department has regarding schools and activities, Musselman says.

(WICHITA, Kan.) Wichita State student Amy Coffman spends the day with coffee and her computer. She uses it to keep up with her classes and keep in touch with family by e-mail. "If I don't know who the e-mail is from, I don't open it, I just delete it," she said.  But some people might think twice before deleting one that appears to be news headlines from CNN. Bill Ramsey, President of the The Bill Guy Technological Solutions company saw right through it. "The CNN one has fake e-mail headers.