tuesday, September 2, 2003
news
the university daily kansan 54
5A
Kansas health officials gear up for worst of virus
By Danielle Hillix
dhillix@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
No human cases of the West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Douglas County, but area health officials are taking precautions and preparing for the worst.
"We were predicting that this year would be worse than last, so we've been gearing up," said Sharon Watson, public information officer for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
West Nile has killed one Kansan, a 93-year-old Butler Countyman on Aug.21. The virus has been confirmed in 16 others. Several other human cases, including the case of a Lawrence man, are under investigation but have yet to be confirmed.
Last year the state reported a total of 22 human cases and no
deaths. Traditionally, West Nile hits hardest in August and September.
Myra Strother, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said Watkins was on the watch for West Nile, but had not treated any known cases.
Symptoms of West Nile are usually mild and include a headache, low fever and muscle aches. Because West Nile symptoms are often similar to that of a common virus or flu it is difficult to immediately diagnose, Strother said.
"If you come in with just a mild headache or fever, we're going to treat it like a virus," Strother said. "If you're not getting any better within two days, that's how you tell. That's when we start worrying about it."
The KDHE estimates that one in 150 people infected with West Nile will develop a more severe form of the disease. Symptoms of severe cases include high fever,
stiff neck, difficulty walking, convulsions and muscle weakness
Those most at risk for developing severe symptoms are those with weak immune systems, especially young children and the elderly.
Watkins' staff members have been meeting with housing directors, residence assistants and students to spread the word about West Nile.
Kim Ens, disease control program coordinator for the Douglas County Health Department, said preventing mosquito bites was still the best way to avoid Wasil Nile.
To avoid mosquito bites, KDHE recommends limiting outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, using insect repellent containing DEET and wearing protective clothing when possible.
Edited by Nikki Overfelt
By Kevin Kampwirth
kkampwirth@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The number of cases of a harmful microscopic parasite in the Lawrence area rose to 22 over the weekend.
weekend. The first reported case of cryptosporidium in Lawrence came in early July. The parasite is spread by human and animal waste and easily passed in swimming pools.
mong po. Health officials have not determined how the parasite spread in Lawrence. Last week, four area pools were closed and disinfected as a precaution.
Cryptosporidium has symptoms similar to those of stomach flu, including diarrhea, stomach cramps and slight fever. It is generally not fatal, but can be to those with weak immune systems, such as children and the elderly.
One University of Kansas student was treated for cryptosporidium at Watkins Health
Parasite cases increase to 22
Center in early July. Myra Strother, senior student health physician at Watkins, said that was the only case treated there.
"We have been closely monitoring the situation since then to make sure it doesn't spread anymore." Strother said.
The parasite can survive outside a host body for long periods of time and can resist the chlorine used to disinfect swimming pools.
poors.
Megan Lynch, Highland Park,
Ill., senior, said she was concerned,
but it wouldn't keep her from swimming.
"The chance of getting it is too low for me to worry," Lynch said.
Concern that cryptosporidium may infect the city's water supply has led city officials to test water treatment plants this week as a precaution.
The city began testing for the presence of cryptosporidium in the water supply after an epidemic infected the Milwaukee water supply in 1993, killing 100 people while infecting 400,000.
For now, officials just want people to be aware that the parasite is present and to take precautions.
cautions.
"Anyone feeling poorly or having diarrhea for more than a couple of days should probably come in and get checked out," Strother said.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, 200 Maine St., is monitoring the situation with the Federal Center for Disease Control.
Kay Kent, director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, said the department sent surveys to four Lawrence-area grammar schools in an attempt to monitor and track the spread of the parasite.
The department is also offering free stool specimen sampling, available at the department offices, to anyone concerned about contracting cryptosporidium.
— Edited by Joey Berlin
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