A man in the Netherlands contracted the West Nile virus, probably because he was bitten by a mosquito near Utrecht. It is the first time that someone contracted the virus in the Netherlands, reports the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Dutch counterpart of Sciensano.
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In August and September, birds and mosquitoes were found with the virus near Utrecht. For example, a warbler at Haarzuilens had the virus among its members. Later it turned out that two other birds had also become infected. The West Nile virus mainly occurs in birds and is transmitted by mosquitoes. When people get infected, they usually don’t get sick. About 80 percent have no complaints at all, 20 percent have mild symptoms such as fever and flu-like complaints. In exceptional cases an infection can lead to serious neurological complaints, such as encephalitis. A small proportion of patients may die. Humans cannot transmit the virus to other people or animals.
Chances of new cases small
The West Nile virus has been around for some time in Southeast Europe and around the Mediterranean. In recent years it has also surfaced in other parts of Europe. That is why the RIVM already took into account that someone in the Netherlands would become infected. The RIVM thinks that the chance of a new case in the near future is small due to the autumn and winter weather. When the ‘mosquito season’ starts next year, RIVM will issue “advice and possible further actions”.
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