XALIMANEWS-Since July 9, 2024, a new pathology, West Nile Fever, has been reported in the Kaffrine health district. This zoonosis, transmitted to humans by the bite of the Culex mosquito, was identified in an 18-year-old girl, who is currently being treated by local medical teams.
According to Dr Mbaye Thiam, Regional Director of Health of Kaffrine, quoted by L’OBS, the detection of this pathology was carried out thanks to the epidemiological surveillance system set up in all the health structures of the region.
“When the reported case came back positive from the National Reference Laboratory, a response was immediately organized around the said case which was taken care of,” he said. Dr. Thiam added that the progress of the management of this new disease was favorable, without leaving any after-effects.
As for West Nile fever, the Regional Director of Health informs that the disease is asymptomatic in 80% of cases. However, it can cause symptoms in humans such as fever, headache, asthenia, nausea, vomiting and rash.
“Its evolution is most often favorable. However, complications can occur in people with particular risk factors, such as advanced age or immunodeficiency,” specifies Dr. Mbaye Thiam.
He also says that West Nile fever is diagnosed by identifying the virus in a laboratory. To date, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for this disease. Although transmission is vector-borne, he stresses that the disease is not fatal.
West Nile fever, similar to dengue, Zika or yellow fever viruses, is carried by migratory birds. The typical incubation period is 2 to 6 days, but it can be up to 14 days.
