How Dangerous Is West Nile Virus?
The West Nile virus has appeared in the Netherlands since this summer. It is now known that seven people have been infected. The actual number of infections is probably much higher. What do we know about West Nile virus? Five questions.
1. What kind of virus is it?
The West Nile virus is part of the group of flaviviruses, which also includes the yellow fever virus, Zika virus and dengue (dengue fever). The virus comes from birds and is transmitted to humans, horses or other mammals via mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a bird that carries the virus. Fortunately, humans and other mammals are unable to transmit the virus.
Do you want to donate blood? Then you can pass on the virus. That is why donors who have been to an area where the West Nile virus occurs are not allowed to give blood for a month after returning home. Sanquin has been testing since October donated blood in a number of Dutch regions for the presence of the virus.
2. How Dangerous Is West Nile Virus?
You can get sick from the virus, but the chance is very small. It is more likely that you only suffer from an itchy mosquito bite. Four in five people infected with the West Nile virus have no symptoms. The rest will have mild flu symptoms, such as fever and muscle aches. Serious neurological symptoms, such as meningitis, can occur in 1 percent, mainly the elderly and frail. In these rare cases, there is a risk of death.
3. How big is the problem in our country now?
So far, seven people are known to have been infected with the West Nile virus. In November, the counter was still at six infections. Only 1 percent become seriously ill, so scientists estimate the real number of infections much higher. Ecologist Maarten Schrama of Leiden University, who studies mosquito infections, says to NRC: “I think that at least 700, maybe 1,000 people will be infected this year. Then you see how big this problem actually is. We may start taking this more seriously when the corona pandemic is over.”
4. Which mosquitoes can spread the virus?
According to Schrama, the main spreader is our ‘regular’ house mosquito. This mosquito can get it from various birds, such as the warbler, song thrush, house sparrow, blackbird, great tit and chiffchaff.
5. How can we protect ourselves from this virus?
Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and love warmth. As soon as the temperature outside is pleasant, mosquitoes reproduce undisturbed in places with standing (rain) water, such as filled buckets, planters and rain barrels. Therefore, throw away this type of leftover water in time. Experts expect that an apparently harmless mosquito bite will cause more and more problems in the future, so be careful and take the necessary precautions.
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