From the start of the 2021 transmission season until August 19, 2021, countries in the European Union EU / EEA have reported 28 human cases of infection with the virus West Nile (WN ou virus du Occidental Nil) en Greece (14), in Italy (11), in Austria (2) et en Romania (1). Countries neighboring the EU have reported 3 human cases of WN infection, all in Serbia.
During the current transmission season, the following region has first reported human cases of WN infection: Spice on Italy.
Since the start of the 2021 transmission season, three outbreaks in equines and no outbreaks in birds have been reported by EU / EEA countries. Outbreaks in equines have been reported bySpain (3).
Reminders on the virus West Nile :
the virus West Nile is considered today as the Flavivirus the most common after that of dengue. It belongs to the family of Flaviviridae and kind Flavivirus. It is migratory birds that play the role of virus reservoir animals. The virus is transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes of the genus Culex : After biting infected birds, female mosquitoes become competent to transmit the virus to humans during a blood meal.
In the majority of cases (80%), infection with WN is asymptomatic.
- Symptomatic forms of the disease are characterized by the sudden onset of a high fever after 3 to 6 days of incubation. This fever is accompanied by headache and back pain, muscle pain, cough, lymphadenopathy in the neck, and often a rash, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and respiratory symptoms.
- Neurological complications (meningitis, encephalitis) occur in less than 1% of cases. More rarely still, other complications (hepatitis, pancreatitis or myocarditis) may appear.
Generally, the patient recovers spontaneously, sometimes with sequelae. But viral infection can be fatal mainly in older adults.
To protect yourself, you are advised:
- reduce the time spent outdoors during the mosquito’s active hours (between dusk and dawn);
- wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves, pants and socks in areas where mosquitoes are present;
- protect yourself from mosquito bites by using insect repellents containing DEET;
- clean gutters and regularly empty birdbaths and other objects liable to collect water;
- ensure that the rain barrels are covered with mosquito nets or that they are tightly sealed around the rainwater downpipe;
- improve landscaping to prevent standing water around the house.
Source : European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
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