According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the numbers of West Nile virus cases in Kansas have inched up slightly. Barton County still has the most cases in the state.
Barton County has a total of eight cases. Two of the cases were neuroinvasive and six were non-neuroinvasive as of Sept. 27. The illness is carried by mosquitoes.
Karen Winkelman, clinical nurse supervisor from the Barton County Health Department, said they are investigating one more case, but it has not been confirmed to be West Nile. She also said cases of the virus are slowing down with the end of mosquito season approaching.
Twelve other counties in the state have reported 1-2 cases each for a total of 23 confirmed cases statewide.
Counties reporting cases beside Barton are Wyandotte-2, Thomas-1, Republic-1, Pratt-1, Pawnee-2, Meade-1. Johnson-1, Haskell-1, Finney-2, Comanche-1, Clay-1 and Clark-1.
West Nile can cause symptoms or no symptoms, and the health department recommends using mosquito spray and protective clothing at dawn and dusk to  avoid many mosquito bites.
Seventy to 80 percent of people who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
About 1 in 5 people will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
People with milder symptoms typically recover on their own.
Those with serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues) may have permanent problems, according to the CDC.
The symptoms of neurologic illness can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease are also at greater risk for serious illness.
Recovery from severe disease may take several weeks or months, and some of the neurologic effects may be permanent. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die, according to the CDC.
Most cases occur June through September.