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Increased activity of vector-borne diseases identified in Kansas

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Increased activity of vector-borne diseases identified in Kansas


KDHE

TOPEKA – While ticks and mosquitoes are a natural part of our environment, it is important to know that some may transmit harmful diseases. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) tracks illnesses caused by ticks and mosquitoes, and as of May 29, 2024, has received over 200 laboratory reports of tickborne diseases. Additionally, KDHE has received several reports of tick bites and complaints of high numbers of ticks, which indicates that tick activity and density are increasing and are occurring earlier in the season this year.

Numerous tickborne diseases caused by bacteria are present in Kansas. These include Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses (SFGR), and Tularemia. Two rare tickborne viruses, Heartland virus and Bourbon virus, have also been identified in Kansas in both humans and ticks. All of these tickborne diseases are transmitted by the Lone Star tick, the most abundant tick in Kansas. Lone Star ticks can be found widely throughout at least the eastern two-thirds of the state in a variety of habitats and are aggressive human biters. This year alone, KDHE has investigated several tickborne disease cases with severe health outcomes, including hospitalizations due to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia, and a fatal case of Bourbon virus.

“Vector-borne diseases, both those that are transmitted by ticks and those transmitted by mosquitoes are extremely active this year,” Dr. Erin Petro, KDHE State Public Health Veterinarian, said. “I really encourage people to take the risk of vector-borne diseases seriously and take personal protective measures for themselves and their pets to reduce their chance of acquiring an illness from a tick or mosquito bite. We’re also seeing emerging tick-associated conditions, like Alpha-gal syndrome, which can have lifelong consequences for those affected, which is why bite prevention is so important.”

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In addition to increased tickborne diseases being reported to KDHE, there have been increased case reports of West Nile Virus (WNV), which is a reportable disease. While WNV cases occur every year in Kansas, the concerning trend this year is how early it’s being seen. Cases of WNV typically start in late July to early August. However, KDHE has already had two cases of WNV reported.

These cases serve as an important reminder to take precautions as you enjoy the outdoors this summer. Ticks are commonly found at the edge of trails, on tall grasses and in wooded, shaded areas. Mosquitoes are often more common at dawn and dusk and can breed in small amounts of standing water.

To reduce the risk of contracting a vector-borne disease, take the following steps:

  1. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 on all exposed skin. If going camping or hiking, treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin.
  2. When doing yardwork, hiking, camping or recreating in areas where ticks and mosquitoes may be found, wear long pants tucked into socks or boots, if possible. Additionally, light colored clothing can make it easier to spot ticks.
  3. Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors, such as emptying standing water, particularly in old tires, tarps and flowerpots. Empty bird baths at least once a week to disrupt the mosquito life cycle.
  4. Ensure pets remain tick free by consulting with a veterinarian about tick prevention products.
  5. After spending time outdoors, shower and check for ticks again (some can be hard to spot). The vital areas to check are in and around the hair and ears, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waist, between the legs and the back of the knees.
  6. If a tick has bitten you, don’t squeeze it. Remove it with tweezers by grasping the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, then pull outward. Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet. Don’t forget to check pets for ticks.
  7. Pay attention to common signs and symptoms of vector-borne illness such as fever/chills, body aches and/or rash. If any of these symptoms are present within a few weeks of spending time outdoors in areas that may have ticks or mosquitoes, it’s important to talk with a doctor about being tested for vector-borne illnesses.

For more information, visit KDHE’s Tickborne Disease Data Stories to learn more about tickborne diseases, signs and symptoms specific to each disease, tick bite prevention and tick distribution. CDC also has additional information about vector-borne diseases on their website.



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Arizona State-Kansas weather forecast: Excessive heat warning in Phoenix area

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Arizona State-Kansas weather forecast: Excessive heat warning in Phoenix area


From long flights to irregular sleep to time zone changes, road games come with many challenges.

When it comes to October college football in Tempe, Arizona, you can add weather to the equation.

The Kansas Jayhawks will be walking into a literal inferno on Saturday at Arizona State, with game time temperatures expected to be hovering around 105 degrees. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning on Friday afternoon … and it remains in effect until Monday at 8 p.m. MST.

The NWS classifies an excessive heat warning as “dangerously hot conditions” that could lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

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This is nothing new for the Sun Devils, who deal with 100-plus degree temperatures from May through October. The Jayhawks, on the other hand, aren’t used to playing in this kind of heat. The temperature is expected to remain above 100 degrees until the sun goes down at 6:06 p.m. MST. The temperature should drop into the high 90s for the second half.

Arizona State’s first two home games of the season – Aug. 31 vs. Wyoming and Sept. 7 vs. Mississippi State – both kicked off at 7:30 p.m. MST, well after sunset. The Kansas-Arizona State game is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. MST, which means it will be played under a scorching sun for at least an hour.

“Once you’re above 90, it’s pretty darn hot all the way around,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said earlier this week. “So it’ll be a challenge, but we can’t let it get to us.”

The game time temperature will rival the hottest ever recorded for Arizona State – and the top 5 hottest games were all played in late August and early September. To have a game this hot in early October is clearly an outlier.

Arizona State’s game vs. Sacramento State on Sept. 5, 2013 was the hottest game time temperature ever recorded in Tempe at 107 degrees. A close second was ASU vs. Eastern Washington on Aug. 31, 2002 at 106 degrees. Saturday’s game vs. Kansas could easily come in third.

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Chiefs vs. Saints Injury Report: KC Loses Another Receiver, Add Tight End to Roster

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Chiefs vs. Saints Injury Report: KC Loses Another Receiver, Add Tight End to Roster


The Kansas City Chiefs have already placed their top two wide receivers, Rashee Rice and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, on injured reserve early in the 2024 NFL season. During this week of practice ahead of a Monday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints, another wide receiver has landed on the injury report, putting his status in doubt for Monday night’s game.

Mecole Hardman was limited on Thursday and did not practice on Friday due to a knee injury, according to the team.

During the Chiefs’ press conferences on Friday, special teams coordinator Dave Toub was asked who could take on Hardman’s special teams duties if he’s sidelined against the Saints.

“We have a number of guys that can do it, obviously,” Toub said. “Nikko [Remigio] can do it, [Montrell] Washington can do it. Any of those two guys can possibly pop up if Mecole was down. Obviously, we have other guys in the mix. I mean, [Xavier] Worthy can be a punt returner, Skyy Moore, we have a lot of guys, we have a lot of options there.”

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Remigio or Washington would have to “pop up” from the practice squad, which already seemed plausible as the Chiefs currently have only five receivers on the 53-man roster, including Hardman. Remigio became a favorite of fans and coaches alike during this summer’s training camp. Depending on what the Chiefs value on the active roster, as Justyn Ross also waits on the practice squad, Remigio could be a useful elevation both as a dynamic returner and a plausible offensive depth piece.

On Thursday, running back Kareem Hunt (shoulder) and defensive end Mike Danna (calf) were both limited in practice, meaning that they took some reps but less than a typical full workload. The duo shared the same designation again on Friday, both officially “limited.”

Hunt, who played in his first regular season game of 2024 after not participating in training camp or the preseason, could simply be getting a bit of extra rest before another game of heavy usage against New Orleans. Danna, who missed Week 4, should be considered a toss-up for Week 5. With the Chiefs’ bye week coming in Week 6, one more game on the sidelines would give Danna an extra week of recovery before the Chiefs take the field again in San Francisco on October 20.

Tight end Jody Fortson, who returned to the Chiefs’ practice squad on September 26 after an offseason stint with the Miami Dolphins, has been signed to KC’s active roster. In a corresponding move, cornerback Darius Rush has been signed to the practice squad to take Forton’s place.

With KC’s depleted wide receiver room, they’ll now carry four tight ends on the active roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, rookie Jared Wiley, and Fortson.

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Read More: Rashee Rice’s Next Steps: NFL Insiders Report Latest Plan for Knee Injury Diagnosis





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Kansas City “chair-ity” lifts women up during their breast cancer journey

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Kansas City “chair-ity” lifts women up during their breast cancer journey


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Peace Out Cancer “Chair-ity” is a Kansas City nonprofit helping people through their cancer battles.

The grassroots organization is run by two local women, Amy Scanlon-Taitt and Marcia Moroney. Peace Out Cancer provides recliner lift chairs to cancer patients. So far, they say they’ve helped around 2,000.

“So far we’ve never turned somebody down for a chair,” said Moroney.

The chair lifts patients so they don’t have to use their arms. This is something they can’t do following surgery because of incision marks and drainage tubes.

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For Loni Norwood, she wasn’t aware of that when she got her cancer diagnosis. She said Peace Out Cancer made her recovery easy.

Tim Hellhake /KSHB

Loni Norwood – Breast Cancer Survivor

“I didn’t know anything about the breast cancer journey. I didn’t know anything about drains and what post-surgery looked like,” said Norwood. “I kept the chair for about three weeks. It was a lifesaver. I didn’t have to strain. My movement was already so limited… I needed help.”

When patients get the chair, they can keep it for a few weeks during recovery. Along with the chair, is a notebook. Previous sitters have written their thoughts and stories for the next person to read.

Friday, Oct. 4 at the Loews Hotel, Peace Out Cancer is hosting a fundraiser to continue providing this service. Tickets are $35 and can be bought here.

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To learn more about the nonprofit, visit their website.

KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.





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