Last month, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website reported that instances of all categories of mosquito-borne diseases were on the rise in Europe. This time, the US records an uptick of West Nile virus cases in different parts of the country during summer when mosquitoes are in season.
US Records an Uptick in West Nile Virus Cases
The Weather Channel reports via MSN that cases of people testing positive for West Nile virus across the US are increasing. West Nile viral infections usually uptick during mosquito season in July, and peak in August and September.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 69 cases have been reported in 16 states this year. About 55 of these cases are neuroinvasive diseases.
New cases were reported recently in the states of New Jersey, Texas, and Florida. Meanwhile, the other states that reported finding WNV in mosquitoes include New York, Maryland, and Colorado.
On Friday, the Boston Public Health Commission declared an increased risk level for West Nile virus in the city due to the higher number of infected mosquitoes found in nearby areas.
As per Boston 25 News report, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the virus risk level from low to moderate. Although no human cases have been confirmed in Boston, health authorities cautioned that residents might eventually contract the virus, and infection could occur without showing noticeable symptoms.
Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, highlighted the collaborative efforts with the State Department of Public Health to monitor mosquito pools and alert residents about the risk of West Nile Virus.
She encouraged residents to safeguard themselves during this time of year and into the fall by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing while spending prolonged periods outdoors from dusk to dawn.
About the West nile Virus
West Nile virus is the main mosquito-borne disease in the US, spread through mosquito bites during summer and fall, as per the CDC. No vaccines or specific treatments exist; using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing can reduce the risk.
The majority of people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms (8 out of 10). Approximately 1 in 5 infected individuals experience febrile illness with symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, from which most recover fully, but fatigue and weakness may persist for weeks or months.
A small proportion, about 1 in 150, develops severe central nervous system illnesses like encephalitis or meningitis, leading to high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis.
Severe cases can occur in people of all ages, with higher risk for those over 60 years (1 in 50) and individuals with specific medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, or organ transplant recipients.
Recovery from severe illness may take several weeks or months, and certain effects on the central nervous system could be permanent. Tragically, about 1 in 10 individuals with severe central nervous system illness dies.
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