Gifhorn. The virus can infect humans as well as birds and horses. There are no vaccines for humans. This is how you can protect yourself.
The West Nile virus (WNV) was found in a blackbird in the district of Gifhorn. This was announced by the district’s press spokeswoman Anja-Carina Riechert in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. A horse in the Brome collective municipality is also suspected of being infected with the same virus, which is currently being investigated. A sample from the horse was sent to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute for confirmation.
The West Nile virus is a virus originating from Africa that is transmitted by blood-sucking mosquitoes. In the natural host cycle, it is transmitted between birds and mosquitoes. Humans and horses can also be infected with WNV, but they cannot transmit the virus further. The West Nile virus is closely related to the Usutu virus, which also infects wild birds. WNV is spread almost all over the world, from Africa to Asia, North America and Europe. WNV infections in birds and horses are notifiable animal diseases in Germany. In addition to this notification requirement, no other animal health measures have been prescribed to date.
How do you recognize West Nile virus infections? In most cases they remain asymptomatic. However, some bird species become ill particularly easily. In individual cases, symptoms of illness can also occur in horses and humans.
Passerines are particularly susceptible and easily become ill
In most cases, the infection in birds is asymptomatic. However, passerines (especially corvids) and birds of prey and owls are particularly susceptible and fall ill easily. In these species, massive epidemics with frequent deaths can occur. In more severe cases, neurological symptoms and bleeding in the beak and cloaca region can be observed. Commercial poultry is considered to be less susceptible. Vaccines for birds are not available.
Some horses have symptoms such as stumbling, hind leg paralysis, muscle tremors and weakness
The majority of affected horses do not show any symptoms. However, some horses react with severe neurological symptoms such as stumbling, hind leg paralysis, muscle tremors, weakness and even lying down. Some infections can be fatal. More rarely, the horses show a feverish general illness.
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An overview of the vaccines for horses approved in Germany can be found in an overview from the Paul Ehrlich Institute. The vaccination recommendation for horses is repeated in the current vaccination recommendation of the Standing Committee on Vaccination for Veterinary Medicine (StIKoVet) at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute. Horses from the affected regions as well as horses that travel to these regions, for example to tournaments, or are in neighboring regions, should be vaccinated in the spring, before the mosquito season begins.
Horses infected with the West Nile virus develop protective antibodies four to six weeks after infection. After a certain time, however, these are no longer detectable in the blood. The StIKoVet therefore recommends that infected horses should not be vaccinated immediately after infection, but one year after infection in order to maintain protection. The vaccinations should be repeated annually.
In humans, meningitis or encephalitis can occur
In humans, around 80 percent of infections are asymptomatic. If symptoms do occur, they are often comparable to a feverish flu infection. This classic course is also known as West Nile fever. In less than one percent of infected people, severe forms of the disease can occur with meningitis or encephalitis, which in rare cases (especially in older patients) can be fatal. Human vaccines are not available.
The virus is usually transmitted to wild birds by mosquitoes
The actual host cycle takes place between mosquitoes and wild birds as the main hosts. In addition, transmission to mammals and humans can also occur if the mosquitoes have previously ingested blood from infected birds. For this reason, West Nile virus infections are mainly observed in late summer and early autumn when the mosquitoes are active.
In horses, humans and other non-hosts, the virus does not produce sufficient amounts in the blood to transmit the disease. In humans, WNV can be transmitted through contaminated blood donations, from infected mothers to unborn children or during breastfeeding to children.
How to protect yourself and your animals
Since the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, protection against mosquitoes is a priority. Covering open water containers such as rain barrels can reduce the number of mosquitoes. Protection against mosquito bites in affected areas can prevent transmission of the West Nile virus. Various vaccines are available for horses. The use of products that keep insects away from horses (repellents) is recommended, according to the district press spokeswoman. The water in pastures and paddocks should be changed daily to prevent any proliferation of infected mosquitoes. red
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