West Nile virus infection again: RIVM warns blood bank | Inland

In total, seven people in the Netherlands have now become infected with the virus, six of which are in the Utrecht region. West Nile virus is transmitted via mosquitoes.

The RIVM released the first infection last month. According to the institute, patients in the Utrecht region contracted the infection in the months of July or August. However, the patient in the Arnhem region only became infected in October. “That is remarkable, because the mosquito season is almost over. It rarely happens that someone is infected with the West Nile virus so late in the season ”, according to the RIVM.

Flu

According to the RIVM, infection with the West Nile virus sometimes gives a flu-like illness. In rare cases (1 percent), neurological symptoms such as encephalitis, meningitis or some form of polio may also occur. People who develop these symptoms run a small risk of death. The virus comes from birds and is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes.

The virus is not transmitted from human to human or from human to animal. “But it is possible that someone is infected by a blood or organ transplant,” said the RIVM.

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