While the first indigenous case of West Nile virus infection in Gironde was observed this summer, the virus transmitted by Culex mosquitoes is gaining ground in New Aquitaine.
- As of October 17, 2023, 31 indigenous human cases (confirmed or probable) have been identified in New Aquitaine.
- Until 2021 in France, human and equine cases of West Nile virus infection were identified in the departments around the Mediterranean (in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica and Occitanie regions).
- The majority of cases of West Nile virus infection (around 80%) are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic.
The West Virus Nile (or West Nile virus) is gaining ground in New Aquitaine. According to the latest epidemiological update from Public Health Francewhile the first regional indigenous human cases were identified at the end of July, the organization counted 31 as of October 17, 2023.
West Nile virus : a significant increase in cases in New Aquitaine
The Public Health France report specifies that individuals infected with the West virus Nile, spotted in New Aquitaine, presented the first symptoms between mid-July and the end of September. In detail, 24 cases were counted in Gironde, 5 in Charente-Maritime and 2 in Charente between the end of July (date of the first indigenous cases in the region) and mid-October. “Investigations are underway with eight other people”specifies the press release.
In addition, 16 horses also developed the infection (12 in Gironde and 4 in Charente-Maritime) and 6 avian cases (in Charente-Maritime) were reported over the same period.
For the organization, these cases demonstrate the circulation of the West Nile virus in Gironde, Charente-Maritime and Charente. A worrying phenomenon since until 2021, cases of West Nile virus infections were only observed in the departments around the Mediterranean. (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica and Occitanie).
“Less than 10 indigenous human cases per year were identified, except in 2018 (epidemic of European scale with 27 human cases detected in France)“specifies the health organization. In 2022, Nouvelle-Aquitaine had only recorded equine cases in the Gironde department.
West Nile virus infection: how to recognize the disease?
West Nile virus infection (or West Nile virus) is transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culex genus, insects endemic to France active from June to the end of November. They become contaminated by feeding on infected birds, then transmit the virus to humans or horses by biting them. “Man and horses are “epidemiological impasses”: a mosquito cannot become contaminated by biting an infected man or horse”specifies Public Health France.
If there is no direct human-to-human transmission, it is possible to be infected through a blood transfusion, organ, tissue or cell transplant from a patient.
In 8 out of 10 cases, West Nile virus infection is asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. If the affected person shows signs of the disease, they are of the flu-like type: fever, joint and muscle pain, asthenia, headache. Some also develop a rash.
In rare cases (less than 1%), neurological complications (meningitis, encephalitis, polyradiculoneuropathy) may occur, particularly in immunocompromised or elderly people, and can lead to death.
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