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West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a high-risk warning for West Nile virus infections in several areas of the state, including Douglas County.

Northeast Kansas is included among the four regions with the high-risk designation, along with the north-central, south-central and southeast parts of the state. Northwest and southwest Kansas, meanwhile, are at moderate risk for West Nile virus infections. The current risk level for the state’s six regions can be checked on KDHE’s website.

West Nile is most often spread through mosquito bites; it is not spread from person to person. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever or other symptoms, and about one out of 150 develop swelling of the brain tissue and, in some cases, die. There isn’t a vaccine or medication to treat West Nile virus. People who have had the virus before are considered immune.

KDHE is recommending a number of prevention measures this summer:

• When outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient on skin and clothing, like DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

• Especially use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at times when many mosquitoes are most active, at dusk and dawn, or consider staying indoors during these hours.

• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out, and keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when not in use.

Most West Nile virus infections occur in the late summer and early fall; KDHE notes that, so far, there haven’t been any reported cases in Kansas in 2022.

For questions about West Nile virus or other diseases, contact the KDHE epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.