First Kansas case of West Nile virus reported

The state health department says a northwest Kansas resident has West Nile virus. It’s the first case of the year, according to the state.

A news release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the individual is an adult who lives in Thomas County, which includes Colby.

West Nile virus is not contagious from person-to-person. It’s spread to people from mosquitoes.

Symptoms of West Nile range from a slight headache and low-grade fever to swelling of the brain or brain tissue and in rare cases, death. People who have had West Nile virus in the past are considered immune.

Last year, 34 people in Kansas were reported as having West Nile virus. More than half of those cases were hospitalized, according to the state. The virus is common in the late summer and early fall months.

This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 2:08 PM with the headline "First Kansas case of West Nile virus reported."