Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Multiple Cases Of West Nile Virus Confirmed In Kansas Horses

By Angie Haflich • Sep 21, 2018

Multiple cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been confirmed in horses across Kansas over the past few weeks.

According to the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of  Animal Health, 10 confirmed cases have been reported in Lyon, Marion, Neosho, Seward and Wichita counties.

KDA Spokeswoman Heather Lansdowne said there may be other infected horses that haven’t yet been tested. 

Health Officials: Don't Be Blind To The Potential Dangers Of Bats

By • Aug 24, 2018
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

If the experience of getting a bat stuck in your house or office isn’t unpleasant enough, Kansas health officials say it also means you should go get checked for rabies.

Scientists Plotting War On Killer Pond Scum In Kansas

By • Aug 20, 2018
Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service

Seven years ago, a toxic form of algae bloomed in Milford Lake near Junction City. Kansas had never really seen a bloom quite like it before. It lasted for almost three months and has returned every summer since.

The event set state scientists looking for what spurred the blue-green algae, scientifically known as cyanobacteria, and how to stop the return of what is essentially killer pond scum.

Preventing Contamination Is Next Step In Westar Power Plant Closures

By • Aug 6, 2018
Brian Grimmett

Evergy, the company formed in the merger between Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy, has announced the official retirement dates of several older power plants.

Tecumseh Energy Center, near Topeka, and two units at Gordon Evans Energy Center in Colwich will shut down on Oct. 1. Those will be followed by the last two units at Murray Gill Energy Center outside of Wichita on Nov. 1.

Kansas Opioid Task Force Members Angered By Refusal To Discuss Medicaid Expansion

By • Jul 26, 2018

Several members of a task force formed by Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer to address the opioid crisis claim his refusal to consider Medicaid expansion undermines their work.

Sedgwick County At High Risk For West Nile Virus

By • Jul 20, 2018
KDHE

South-central Kansas, including Sedgwick County, is under a high-risk warning for West Nile virus.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday that portions of north central and southwest Kansas also are under a high-risk warning. That is based on historical data involving previous cases.

Southeast, northeast and northwest Kansas are under a moderate risk.

KDHE Issues Blue-Green Algae Warning for Lake Afton, Nine Other Kansas Waters

By • Jul 13, 2018
http://www.sedgwickcounty.org

Lake Afton is closed to all water contact due to a blue-green algae outbreak.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a public health warning Friday for the upcoming weekend and next week. The warning is effective immediately for the entire lake.

Sedgwick County said in a news release that prohibited water contact includes swimming and water skiing. The county said fishing is permitted but fish kept for eating should be prepared using guidelines established by KDHE.

Hard To Tell If Kansas Is Lowering C-Section Rates

By • Jun 4, 2018

Physicians, researchers and hospitals broadly agree that cesarean sections have become too common. That’s powered efforts to limit them to ever fewer cases.

Still, it can be hard to gauge the track record of most Kansas hospitals. When a national group came asking for numbers that reveal how regularly C-sections are performed, many hospitals in the state didn’t reply.

Kansas Ranks Below Average For Health Security Preparedness

By • Apr 19, 2018
U.S. Map of rankings for National Health Security Preparedness Index

Kansas has once again scored below the national average in the latest National Health Security Preparedness Index.

The index is an effort to measure a state’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies that pose health risks. That’s anything from extreme weather events like tornadoes to an outbreak of a deadly disease or virus. On a scale of 10, Kansas scored a 6.9. The national average is 7.1.

“The good news is that it’s been improving over time,” project director Glen Mays said.

Jeff Andersen Named Secretary For Health And Environment

By • Jan 12, 2018
Kansas Department for Health and Environment / Twitter

Gov. Sam Brownback has named an insurance executive to be acting secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The administration announced Friday that Jeff Andersen will oversee environmental management and the state's Medicaid program. The Kansas Senate must approve the nomination.

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