Tourists crossing the Channel this summer have been warned of a fatal paralyzing virus after cases were reported in Spain and Italy.
One person in Seville, Spain, and another in Modena province, Italy, were infected with West Nile virus.
The mosquito-borne virus causes no symptoms in most people, but about 20% develop West Nile fever, which leaves patients with body aches, vomiting and rashes.
One in every 150 people infected with West Nile virus may also develop a serious neurological disease that causes seizures, muscle weakness and paralysis. World Health Organization (WHO) alert.
Two locally acquired cases of the virus – which spreads through bites from infected mozzies – have been detected in European holiday spots so far this year, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The first was reported in the city of Seville, Spain, with the person showing symptoms in early March.
“Although this is an isolated case, it highlights that West Nile virus transmission can occur very early in the year, likely due to suitable weather conditions,” the ECDC noted.
A second person has been infected with West Nile virus in the Italian province of Modena, the health watchdog said.
Italy confirmed it is the first West Nile virus infection in 2024 in a official report published on June 27th.
The case was locally acquired, meaning the person was infected in Italy and was not bitten by a virus-laden mosquito abroad.
A West Nile virus infection was reported in Lombardy in April this year, but the patient contracted the disease in Oman, the report added.
The virus was also detected in mosquitoes in Chieti province in June, although no human cases have been reported.
It comes after mosquitoes carrying the deadly Zika virus were found in 26 European countries.
And Brits heading to Majorca and Menorca were warned about tiger mosquitoes which carry killer diseases after being spotted in popular holiday spots.
Worsening of outbreaks
The ECDC warned last month that Europe was seeing worsening outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile viruses, dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika.
Andrea Ammon, Director of ECDC, said: “Europe is already seeing how climate change is creating more favorable conditions for invasive mosquitoes to spread to previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases like dengue.
“Increased international travel from countries where dengue is endemic will also increase the risk of imported cases and, inevitably, also the risk of local outbreaks.”
Over the course of 2023, 713 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus were detected in 123 different regions of nine EU countries, the ECDC said.
Twenty-two of these regions were reported as infection sites for the first time in 2023 and 67 deaths were also reported.
The reported case count for 2023 was lower than that of 2022, which recorded 1,133 reported infections.
But, according to ECDC, “the number of affected regions is the highest since the 2018 peak, indicating a wide geographic circulation of the virus”.
Data published by the agency in February indicated that most of the 2,023 cases of the virus were detected in Italy, Britain’s favorite holiday, followed by Greece, Romania, Hungary and Spain.
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and is commonly found in Africa, the Middle East, North America and Western Asia, but creatures carrying the disease are being discovered more frequently across Europe.
How to protect yourself against mosquito-borne diseases
Diseases transmitted by MOSQUITOES are those transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.
They include Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue fever and malaria.
Although people may not get sick after being bitten by an infected mosquito, some people experience a mild, short-lived illness.
In rare cases, serious or long-lasting illnesses may develop. Severe cases of mosquito-borne diseases can cause death.
There are certain measures you can take to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes while on vacation.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants to cover your arms and legs, especially in the early morning and early evening
- Use insect repellent on your skin (preferably one that contains the ingredient DEET)
- Close windows and doors whenever possible or use blinds or screens
- Sleep under an insecticide-treated mosquito net, even during the day
Sources: CDC, NHS
Many people will not develop symptoms if they contract the virus and will get better without treatment, but some will experience flu-like symptoms – such as fever, body aches and headache – as well as a rash and nausea.
Others may develop muscle weakness, confusion, vision loss, numbness, neck stiffness, diarrhea and seizures.
People over 50 and people with another health problem, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer, are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.
Treatment usually involves rest, hydration and pain relief without a prescription.
But severe cases of West Nile virus need to be treated in the hospital, as they can result in meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diseases (CDC). ) warns.
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