Several European countries have begun to report cases of West Nile virus (VWN) infection, warns the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Thus, from the beginning of the 2021 transmission season until 5 August, the countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) reported seven human cases – five in Greece and two in Italy. At the same time, the press from across the Prut reported about the registration, on August 7, of the first case of West Nile virus infection in a patient from Olt County, Romania.
VWN infection is common in countries in Africa, Asia, North America. In some years there have been epidemic outbreaks of this disease in Romania (1996), Russia (1999) and Israel (2000).
According to the National Agency for Public Health, in the Republic of Moldova the first case of this disease was registered in 2019, in Cahul.
West Nile virus infection mainly affects migratory domestic and wild birds. In order for mosquitoes to become vectors, it is necessary to feed on blood from animals, especially infected birds. Migratory birds have a key role to play in introducing the disease into areas where it has not previously been reported.
The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Contamination can also occur during blood transfusions, transplantation of tissues, cells or organs from a VWN-infected donor.
Depending on the incubation period, which may differ from person to person, the manifestations of West Nile virus infection may occur on the 2nd to 6th day, rarely until the 14th day from the time of infection by mosquito bites.
The most common symptoms in sick people are similar to the flu and include: fever (38-40 degrees Celsius), headache, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, conjunctivitis, nausea. In some cases, the disease can progress to more severe forms – meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, including death.
The most affected are children and the elderly.
According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of West Nile virus infection is directly related to weather conditions and is mainly due to the alternation of rainy days with hot days, favorable for mosquito breeding.
WN virus infection prevention measures:
– monitoring the health of birds, operative information of veterinary specialists about sick birds, bird carcasses;
– limiting the contact of domestic birds (ducks, geese) with migratory wild birds;
-removing the conditions for the development of mosquitoes (regular change of water used for watering birds, removal of temporary accumulations of water, household waste, etc.);
– installation of mosquito nets on the windows;
– wearing light-colored clothes with long sleeves, long pants and high socks, especially after dark;
– use of repellents;
– it is particularly important for mosquito bites to be observed by people traveling to endemic areas at high risk of infection;
If the first signs of illness are suspected, seek medical attention urgently.
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