TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is warning residents statewide that they are at high risk of being bitten by West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes.
The KDHE’s Weekly West Nile Risk Assessment & Data Dashboard shows the entire state of Kansas is currently at high risk.
What to Know About West Nile Virus
Health officials note that many people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms. But for those who do, illness can range from mild to life-threatening.
Mild symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Rash
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Severe cases can lead to:
- Neurological infections
- Brain damage
- Death
In this photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, also known as the southern house mosquito, sits on a person’s skin before taking a blood meal in 2022. (Lauren Bishop/CDC via AP)(Lauren Bishop | AP)
Leaders warn that dozens of Kansans develop neuroinvasive West Nile virus disease every year.
Kansas West Nile Virus Data
2025 cases:
- 1 death
- 26 neuroinvasive cases
- 10 non-neuroinvasive cases
- Northeastern and South Central Kansas reported the most cases
- Those aged 65-75 were most affected
- Nearly 67% of cases were in males
2026 (so far):
- 1 non-neuroinvasive case reported – a man between the ages of 35-44 in Northeastern Kansas
How to Protect Yourself
The KDHE says that residents should consider the following:
Repel Mosquitoes
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents
- Apply permethrin to clothing and gear
- Store repellents safely out of children’s reach
Cover Up
- Wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting shirts and pants
- Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
Protect Your Home
- Keep window and door screens in good repair
- Use mosquito netting on strollers and playpens
Eliminate Standing Water
Health officials add that mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Eliminating it is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk.
- Tip and toss standing water at least twice a week
- Empty water from buckets, tires, tarps and toys
- Refresh bird baths and pet water bowls every three days
- Keep wading pools empty when not in use
- Drill drainage holes in tire swings
- Check for hidden water sources like clogged gutters and plant saucers
- Stock ponds with mosquito-eating fish
- Treat standing water that cannot be drained with appropriate larvicides
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