Heat-related death reported in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas officials say the death of a 43-year-old man in northwest Kansas was heat-related, making it the state's third such fatality this year.

The state Department of Health and Environment confirmed Thursday the latest heat-related death was reported last week but declined to provide additional details to protect the victim's privacy. The state's other two heat-related deaths occurred in May.

Health department officials also said hospitals have voluntarily reported about 40 heat-related injuries and illnesses since the beginning of June.

High temperatures in northwest Kansas have hit or exceeded 100 degrees for most of the past two weeks, and Gov. Sam Brownback has declared a drought emergency in the western third of the state, including northwest Kansas.