West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause serious illnesses, such as meningitis or encephalitis, which can be life-threatening.
High temperatures and heat waves that follow heavy rains favor the occurrence of certain diseases, including West Nile neuroinfection, an infectious disease transmitted through mosquito bites – warns the National Institute of Public Health.
According to INSP, from the beginning of the West Nile virus infection surveillance period in Romania (June 6, 2023) until August 10, 2023, 6 cases of West Nile virus infection were registered, one of which resulted in death.
The cases were registered in the city of Bucharest (2), the counties of Dolj (1), Ilfov (2) and Satu Mare (1). A case of West Nile virus infection had double exposure – in the city of Bucharest, as well as in Tulcea county.
The death was registered in the case of the person from Satu Mare county.
INSP makes the following recommendations to protect against infection with WestNile virus:
Avoid exposure to mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved clothing and long pants; Use mosquito repellent chemicals; Use insecticides in/around the home; Prevent mosquitoes from entering the house (protective nets on the windows); Ensure the drainage of water puddles around the household; Remove containers of standing water and household waste.
Symptoms of West Nile virus infection
Cases of West Nile virus infection occur during the mosquito season, which begins in the summer and continues into the fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or drugs to treat this virus. Most people infected with West Nile have no symptoms. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 infected people develop a fever with other symptoms, such as headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash.
Most people with febrile illnesses due to West Nile virus make a full recovery, but fatigue and weakness may persist for weeks or months.
The severe form of the disease is rare but can be fatal
About 1 in 150 infected people develop a serious disease affecting the central nervous system, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).
Symptoms of severe disease include high fever, headache, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
Severe disease can occur in people of any age; however, people over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if infected (1 in 50 people). People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at higher risk.
Recovery from a serious illness can take weeks or months. Some effects on the central nervous system may be permanent.
About 1 in 10 people who develop a serious disease affecting the central nervous system die.
2023-08-11 13:34:23
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