State confirms West Nile death

Kansas Atty. Gen. Kline reports being stricken by virus last month

Topeka ? Health officials on Tuesday confirmed the state’s second death from West Nile virus, that of a 91-year-old Sedgwick County resident.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the victim died at the end of September, about two weeks after the first signs of encephalitis, a swelling of the brain that can be caused by the mosquito-borne virus. The agency declined to provide more information, citing federal privacy laws.

KDHE’s announcement came the same day Atty. Gen. Phill Kline disclosed that he contracted West Nile in September. He has since recovered.

The only other West Nile death confirmed in Kansas was in August — a 93-year-old Butler County resident. However, private labs have identified three deaths presumed to be linked to West Nile, though the state has not confirmed them.

State officials have said the elderly are especially vulnerable to West Nile-related health problems.

“We’ve always said West Nile can impact certain individuals more than it can young adults,” said KDHE spokesman Mike Heideman.

The death was among six additional confirmed cases of West Nile reported Tuesday by the state, bringing the total to 67 for the year. Last year, there were 22 confirmed cases with no deaths.

Until last week, the state had reported only serious cases of West Nile, resulting in paralysis, encephalitis or meningitis, a swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Some critics argued the restrictive reporting understated the danger from the virus to Kansans.

Last week, KDHE said there were an additional 423 unconfirmed cases of West Nile. Heideman said the agency would have a new count today.

¢ New cases: Six cases confirmed Tuesday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, including one that caused the death of a 91-year-old Sedgwick County resident.¢ Total, 2003: 67 confirmed cases, with two confirmed deaths. An additional 423 unconfirmed cases, including three deaths, have been reported by private labs.¢ Total, 2002: 22 confirmed cases, no deaths.¢ Latest cases: 91-year-old, Sedgwick County; 51-year-old, Pottawatomie County; 47-year-old, Reno County; 51-year-old, Saline County; 25-year-old, Sherman County, and 75-year-old, Washington County.Note: KDHE’s confirmed cases are serious ones in which victims develop encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, or meningitis, a swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.

Kline’s case was not confirmed because his doctor had a private lab perform a blood test.

Before one mid-September news conference, Kline had complained about a mysterious rash and flu-like symptoms. On Tuesday, he said he also suffered from muscle and joint aches and fatigue.

“I feel very fortunate,” he said. “There were people who truly suffer from this illness, and I’m not one who suffered greatly from it.”

Health officials had expected this year’s outbreak to be worse than last year’s, the first in which West Nile was reported in Kansas.

This year, the virus was first detected in mosquitoes in Crawford County. The virus also has been found in birds and horses.