WHO urges caution as West Nile virus spreads across Europe

News WHO urges caution as West Nile virus spreads across Europe A mosquito feeds on a technician at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District on 26 July 2023.   -   Copyright © africanews Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved By Rédaction Africanews with agencies Last updated: 24/07 - 12:21 Health As the West Nile virus transmission season gets underway, the World Health Organization is urging European countries to strengthen mosquito surveillance. The warning comes as the mosquito-borne infection spreads rapidly across Europe with locally transmitted cases reported in Greece, Italy, Spain, Romania, and North Macedonia. In Europe, most incidents of the virus in humans occur between July and September when mosquitos are active. About 20 per cent of infections may cause West Nile fever which is characterised notably by headaches, fever, tiredness, body aches, pain, vomiting, and sometimes a rash. In severe cases, a person can develop the West Nile neuroinvasive disease that affects the nervous system and which can be life-threatening. Anyone who develops a high fever, rash, disorientation, tremors, or neck stiffness after a mosquito bite should see a doctor without delay. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus, with care limited to managing symptoms. The WHO says while the virus is not a new threat, but the conditions that make it spread are changing rapidly. “Warmer temperatures and longer summers are giving mosquitoes more time and territory to transmit this virus,” says Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. For most people the risk remains low, but anyone living in or travelling to an affected area should take basic steps to avoid mosquito bites and know the signs of severe illness. The organisation has urged countries to inform the public of protective measures including using a net, wearing clothing that covers most of the body, and making use of mosquito repellent. One should also limit time outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquitoes acquire the West Nile virus by feeding on infected birds and pass it to humans and other animals through bites. No human-to-human transmission through everyday contact has ever been recorded. You may also like 01:27 Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 9 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 1 hour ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 1 hour ago Share More About Health WHO Europe mosquito virus symptoms You may also like 01:27 Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 9 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 1 hour ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 1 hour ago On the same subject NEWS 01:37 DR Congo begins Ebola vaccinations as deadliest outbreak on record spreads 28/08 - 10:49 NO COMMENT 01:00 Hundreds gather in Oslo to support Norway’s King Harald V 28/08 - 00:56 NEWS 02:34 Youth caravan steps up Ebola awareness amid attacks on response teams 23/08 - 12:52 NEWS 01:16 First-ever mpox cases reported in Guinea-Bissau with children the most vulnerable 21/08 - 12:05 NEWS 00:59 DRC: M23 tightens movement controls as Ebola outbreak surpasses 5,000 cases 20/08 - 13:18 NEWS 01:42 WHO chief says the DR Congo's Ebola outbreak remains a global emergency 19/08 - 11:47 More stories 01:25 General Abdourahamane Tchiani Calm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 8 hours ago 01:02 Coup Vote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 7 hours ago 00:56 United Kingdom Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 3 hours ago