After warnings of its spread... What is West Nile fever?

Weather of Arabia - West Nile virus is the virus that causes West Nile fever, and is transmitted to humans through the bites of mosquitoes carrying the virus. The virus spreads in many regions including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Western Asia. It was first discovered in the western Nile region of Uganda, hence its name.

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Symptoms and effects of the virus

Although the virus can cause serious neurological disease, 80% of cases pass without any symptoms. However, the virus can be dangerous and fatal to animals, especially horses, for which vaccines against the virus are available. On the other hand, there is no vaccine or treatment for the virus in humans.

• Modes of transmission of West Nile virus

The main host of the virus is birds, which become infected by the bite of infected mosquitoes, and then transmit the disease to uninfected mosquitoes when they bite again. In addition, some bird species such as eagles and crows can become infected with the virus by eating other infected birds.

• The virus can be transmitted in rare ways, including:

1. Exposure to the virus in laboratories.
2. Blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected people.
3. Transmission of the virus from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

• The virus is not transmitted in the following ways:

1. Coughing, sneezing and touching.
2. Touching live infected animals.
3. Dealing with infected birds, whether live or dead, but it is recommended to wear gloves when disposing of dead birds.
4. Eating infected birds or animals, provided their meat is well cooked.

• Risk factors for West Nile fever

The risk of developing severe symptoms of West Nile fever increases with age, especially over the age of 60. The risks also increase in people who suffer from:

1. Kidney disease.
2. diabetes.
3. Hypertension.
4. cancer.
5. Weak immune system.

Symptoms of West Nile fever

80% of infected people do not show any symptoms. As for the remaining percentage (20%), they may suffer from fever accompanied by symptoms such as:

1. Headache.
2. Body and joint pain.
3. Vomiting and diarrhea.
4. A rash on the chest, abdomen, or back.
5. Swollen lymph nodes.

Severe symptoms of West Nile fever

Rare severe symptoms (less than 1%) include involvement of the central nervous system such as encephalitis, meningitis or myelitis, with the following symptoms occurring:

1. fever.
2. Confusion.
3. Headache and neck stiffness.
4. Tremor.
5. Convulsions.
6. Muscle weakness, numbness and paralysis.
7. Vision loss.
8. Coma.

Treatment of West Nile fever

There is no treatment that eliminates the virus, but symptoms are treated using:

1. Analgesic and antipyretic medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin to relieve pain and fever.
2. Palliative care in severe cases that require hospitalization to receive intravenous fluids and pain relievers.
3. Interferon treatment to treat encephalitis caused by the virus, as its effectiveness is currently being studied.

How to prevent West Nile fever

The most effective way to prevent infection with West Nile fever virus is to avoid mosquito bites. Here are the most important methods of prevention:

• Use insect repellents

Do not use insect repellents on children younger than 2 months old, and avoid applying them to skin covered by clothing. If using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and then insect repellent over it.

• Wear long clothes

It is recommended to wear long clothes and spray them with permethrin or buy clothes treated with it. Permethrin is an insecticide and repellent that provides protection even after washing clothes several times, but avoid using it directly on the skin.

• Prevention steps inside and outside the home

1. Use clamps on doors and windows and patch any holes.
2. Use air conditioners if available.
3. Prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in places where there is water near the house, by emptying and cleaning tools that contain stagnant water on a weekly basis or removing them from the house.
4. Use mosquito nets while sleeping outside the home, preferably using mosquito nets treated with permethrin.
5. When traveling to areas susceptible to West Nile virus infection, choose accommodations that provide air conditioning and door and window grilles.
6. Avoid going out during times when mosquito activity increases, as their activity increases from the end of August to the beginning of September, at night until the morning.

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