West Nile meningitis is an infectious disease transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, with direct human-to-human transmission not being possible. The virus reservoir is represented by migratory birds that are bitten by mosquitoes.
There have been sporadic cases of West Nile virus infection (West Nile, the name of a district in Uganda where the virus was first isolated in 1937), and there have been several deaths.
The virus circulates mainly in tropical areas, but it also reached Romania, being known the epidemic of 1996, the largest in Europe (in 2010 there was an epidemic in Greece), totaling almost 400 cases. Since 1997, health authorities have instituted strict measures to monitor the disease. To date, there is no specific vaccine for West Nile meningitis.
The first symptoms of the infection are fever, nausea and muscle aches, the onset being similar to viruses. In about 80% of cases there are no symptoms of the disease. The mortality rate is about 4% of the registered cases, although the number of those infected with the West Nile virus is much higher, the respective persons not going to the doctor in the absence of severe symptoms.
Careful!
People who have mosquito bites and have a fever, headache, vomiting, abdominal or muscle pain and joint pain will be required to see a doctor, only in this way can be established the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Remember!
West Nile meningitis is only treated in the hospital. It is important to prevent the disease, through specific means such as general disinsection, but also through general measures that each of us can take: protection against mosquitoes by installing nets on windows and doors in homes and workplaces, clothing that covers as much as possible. more of the body surface in the evening, or the use of various lotions, creams or gels against mosquitoes, as well as the use of electrical or electronic devices to destroy them.
Related articles:
–
–
