Zaghouan,Tunisia – A second case of West Nile fever has been confirmed in the Zaghouan region as August,health officials announced Wednesday.The latest case involves a 68-year-old man currently hospitalized in intensive care at the regional CHU. This follows the death of a resident of Fahs from the virus on August 21st.Nabil Ouerfelli, deputy head of basic health in Zaghouan, confirmed the patient presented symptoms consistent with West Nile fever, a mosquito-borne illness. The patient’s son, a man in his thirties, is undergoing testing after experiencing similar symptoms and is being closely monitored.
Health authorities are urging municipalities to increase insecticide spraying and eliminate stagnant water sources, breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Virologist Mahjoub Ouni emphasized preventative measures including mosquito nets, repellents, and insecticide use, alongside the removal of standing water.
“The virus is never transmitted from one human being to another,” Ouni stated. He noted that 80% of those infected experience no symptoms, while others may suffer fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, digestive issues, or rashes. Elderly or immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of severe neurological complications requiring hospitalization.Currently, there is no specific vaccine or treatment for West Nile fever. tunisia’s Pasteur Institute and other research centers are actively monitoring the situation. the virus primarily circulates among birds, with mosquitoes transmitting it to humans after feeding on infected birds.
