Indian summer helping West Nile fever spread: These groups of people are most at risk

Photo: Unsplash/Syed Ali

The number of people infected with West Nile virus transmitted by mosquitoes in Serbia is increasing.

Recommended

According to data from the Batut Institute of Public Health, eight more people have been infected in a week, one died, while the total number of patients this season has been 228 so far. The majority are in Belgrade, as many as 97.

Dr. Slavica Maris from the Institute of Public Health Batuts appeared on K1 broadcaster to speak about the symptoms of the West Nile virus, how serious the condition can be if it is not recognized in time and whether every mosquito bite is dangerous.

This disease, since it was first registered here in 2012, has been present every year. It is a potentially serious infection that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and in about 80 percent of cases it does not produce any clinical picture, so it is asymptomatic.

After a mosquito bites them, a person can be a carrier of the infection, but not have any clinical picture or symptoms. In those 20 percent of cases in which symptoms do manifest, they are usually mild, resembling the flu: elevated body temperature, muscle and joint pain, a transient rash may occur along with enlarged lymph glands, and this usually passes in a few days.

In one person out of 150 infected, more severe symptoms and the development of a neuroinvasive form of the disease can occur - meningitis, encephalitis, and such conditions require hospitalization - said Dr. Slavica Maris.

Patients with sever symptoms live with consequences

The Batut epidemiologist pointed out that just under one percent of patients develop a severe clinical picture that requires hospitalization.

In patients with a more severe clinical picture, a stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, coma, and paralysis may occur. The incubation period is from three to 14 days. West Nile virus usually does not leave lasting consequences, but in severe cases it does though - in terms of long-term fatigue, memory loss, difficulty walking, and it can also lead to dementia - said Dr. Maris.

Although a small number of people infected with West Nile virus develop a more severe clinical picture, there are categories that are more at risk compared to the rest of the population.

Elderly people, those older than 65 battling a chronic disease are more susceptible to a more severe form of this disease. Likewise, people over 80 years old are more susceptible to more severe forms and there is higher mortality rata there caused by this virus - said the doctor.

The Batut Institute stressed trat West Nile virus was detected in 43 different types of mosquitoes, including the mosquitos that live in this region. Last year, there were only 18 recorded cases of this virus in our country, and West Nile fever is not transmitted from person to person, but is spread only by mosquitoes.

There is currently no vaccine for this virus. Since the first time this disease occurred in our country, in 2012, we have had two years of epidemics - 2013 and 2018.

The disease is common and there is no reason for fear and panic - Dr. Slavica Maris concluded.

(Telegraf.rs)