In one Press release published this Thursday, August 9, 2018, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Health Agency (ARS) reveals that 3 people infected with the West Nile virus were diagnosed in Nice (Alpes Maritimes).
Transmitted by mosquitoes, West Nile fever (also known as “West Nile virus disease”) is a viral disease that can affect both humans and horses. Considered to be “accidental hosts”, these cannot in turn transmit the virus, unlike other flaviviruses (dengue, chikungunya or zika in particular).
In most cases (80%), West Nile virus infection is asymptomatic, that is, the patient has no symptoms. Symptomatic forms of the disease are characterized by the sudden onset of a high fever, accompanied by headache and backache, muscle pain, coughing, swelling of the glands in the neck, and often rash, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and respiratory symptoms.
Neurological complications (meningitis, encephalitis) occur in less than 1% of cases.
During the summer of 2018, 55 cases reported in Europe
“These three cases testify to a probable circulation of the West Nile virus in the department, specify the authorities of the ARS. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), between July 27 and August 2, 2018, 55 human cases were reported in Europe, Italy, Greece, Hungary and Romania. “
“The Regional Health Agency calls for the vigilance of health professionals and health establishments to report any new suspected case. Additional measures to secure blood donations and organ harvesting from inhabitants of the Alpes-Maritimes have been temporarily implemented, ”they add.
The 3 people diagnosed, for their part, “are now cured and in good health”.
Read also :
A case of West Nile virus in Nice
To fight against mosquitoes … Bats?
Tiger mosquito alert in the Paris region
