The relevant departments of the Ministry of Health have been placed on alert following the detection of a case of West Nile virus in Cyprus. The patient is a 70-year-old man who is in serious condition and is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Nicosia General Hospital.
SEE ALSO: Elderly man infected with West Nile virus in serious condition in the ICU
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What is the West Nile virus?
The West Nile virus is a viral infection transmitted primarily through mosquito bites. Although many people do not experience symptoms, in some cases it can cause serious neurological complications. Understanding the signs and progression of the disease is vital for prevention and timely treatment.
– West Nile virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected “common” mosquitoes.
– People who have been infected are not believed to pass the virus on to others.
– WNV is not transmitted from person to person and is not spread through normal social, sexual, or other contact. Furthermore, it is not transmitted from hospitalized patients to medical and nursing staff.
– In Cyprus, sporadic cases occur from time to time, mainly during the summer months.
It should be noted that after a mosquito bite, it usually takes 2–14 days (incubation period) for symptoms to appear.
In the majority of cases, people infected with the virus show no symptoms or have mild symptoms, while very few people (less than 1%) develop severe disease affecting the nervous system (encephalitis, meningitis, or paralysis). Older adults (over 50 years of age), as well as immunocompromised individuals and those with chronic underlying conditions, are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.
SEE ALSO: Alert at the Ministry of Health: A case of West Nile virus has been detected in Cyprus | AlphaNews
How it is transmitted
1. Through infected mosquitoes. WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they come into contact with infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to both humans and animals through their bites.
2. Through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and, more rarely, from mother to fetus. In a very small number of cases, WNV can also spread directly from an infected person through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breastfeeding, and during pregnancy from mother to baby (vertical transmission). The Unit for Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Infectious Diseases (MEE&ELN) of the Medical and Public Health Services (IY&PHSS), in collaboration with the Health Services, conducts an epidemiological investigation of every reported case, and additional measures to combat mosquitoes are taken where deemed appropriate.
Recommended measures
• Strengthening surveillance of suspected cases.
• Conduct an epidemiological investigation of each case individually.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information with the laboratories performing the relevant diagnostic tests.
• Measures to ensure the safety of blood and blood transfusions.
• Intensification of mosquito control measures by public health authorities.
• Communication with public health agencies abroad, such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, where cases are reported on a weekly basis.
Personal prevention and protection measures at home:
• Wear appropriate clothing—primarily long sleeves and pants—from the afternoon until morning.
• If the problem is very severe, insect repellent can be used outdoors. Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or eucalyptus essential oils last longer. Always use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should follow their doctor’s instructions, while insect repellents containing DEET are contraindicated for infants under two months of age and should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Insect repellents containing eucalyptus essential oils are contraindicated for children under three years of age.
• Install mosquito screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
• Use mosquito repellent in areas with high mosquito density or in cases where other protective measures are contraindicated (such as the use of DEET-based insect repellents on infants younger than 2 months).
• Remove standing water from basins, vases, flowerpots, old tires, gutters, and other areas of the garden to prevent mosquitoes from accessing standing water, which serves as a breeding ground for their eggs.
• Use fans or air conditioners. Cool air reduces mosquito activity but does not kill them. Using fans (especially ceiling fans) makes it harder for the insects to approach.
• Mow the lawn and trim bushes and foliage (places where adult mosquitoes find shelter).
• Water plants preferably in the morning.
• Use yellow-colored light bulbs for outdoor lighting (they attract fewer mosquitoes).
• Use insecticides containing pyrethroids (e.g., permethrin). They are commercially available in the following forms: aerosol, tablets, evaporating solution, coils (“snakes”), etc. Insecticides should not be applied to the skin. In all cases, the manufacturer’s instructions for use should be followed.
• Replace broken, leaking water pipes and remove or repair old rubber hoses that accumulate water.
• Cover the septic tank vent pipes with screens.
• If the home has a pool or fountain, run the filtration system daily to remove mosquito eggs and larvae.
