Summer is vacation time. Whether in France, Spain or Croatia, many people are drawn to the seaside during the hot season. But vacationers from Italy could now have a very special souvenir in their luggage: the West Nile virus.
The Emilia-Romagna region is reporting an increasing number of cases. The question now is how serious the threat situation is for the Capital city and the rest of Germany. BERLIN LIVE asked the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
Berlin: Rising number of West Nile virus cases
Since May, 52 cases of the West Nile virus have been detected in Emilia-Romagna. To prevent the spread from continuing unchecked, prevention and control measures are now to be expanded. This includes, for example, extensive disinfection measures in hospitals, but also in social institutions, reports the “Merkur”. But there are also already confirmed cases in Berlin.
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At the beginning of August, the Berlin Zoo reported that the virus had been found in parrots. There are also confirmed cases in humans, but only in very small numbers. “We have been notified of two West Nile virus cases so far in 2024,” explains RKI press spokeswoman Susanne Glasmacher. One of them in March, the other in May.
RKI gives the all-clear
However, the people did not become infected in Germany, but abroad. Anyone whose corona alarm bells are already ringing need not worry. The virus is not transmissible from person to person and therefore in no way comparable to corona, the press spokeswoman explained to BERLIN LIVE.
Instead, it is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Although people have become infected within the country in parts of Germany (Brandenburg, Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia), this is extremely rare.
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Anyone who still suffers from symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, headaches and back pain should see a doctor. Risk groups such as older people or people with pre-existing medical conditions should also always apply mosquito spray, advises the expert.
