The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) holds infection with the tropical disease West Nile fever in Germany permanently for possible.
experience with the pathogen in southern European countries suggested that the West Nile-establish fever in Germany and is likely to continue to expand, the latest Epidemiological Bulletin of the Institute.
the West is spreading Nile Virus
The West Nile Virus is from Africa-born pathogen that is spread by migratory birds to Europe.
Mainly, the Virus by mosquitoes is transmitted between wild birds.
In birds, infected mosquitoes can horses the pathogen but also on mammals, especially on humans.
In contrast to birds, horses and humans can’t be a virus source for mosquitoes.
contagions in Germany already
detected, The pathogen is apparently able in Germany to spend the winter, as it says in the Bulletin.
in 2018, it has been demonstrated the Virus is already found in birds and horses.
in 2019, there was in East Germany in the late summer for the first time, five of the diagnosed infections in people that were probably on mosquito transmission in the home.
the Virus was Registered in patients in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. The heat-beneficiary area of the upper Rhine applies to the RKI as a further risk area.
Apparently, there’s a risk
The pathogen is worldwide and can be transmitted in Germany by the widespread mosquitoes of the genus Culex.
In southern Europe, it is transferred to the long-since seasonal in the summer and may overwinter there.
Before 2019 infections were exclusively observed in travelers after their return to Germany.
The Virus is in Africa, Israel, the West, Turkey, the Middle East, India, Parts of Southeast Asia and now also in North and Parts widely used in Central America.
abroad were infected in 2019, proven seven German citizens. Deaths were not known.
gallery: Local stinging insects at a Glance
Possible symptoms and infection gradients
Because only a small part of the Infected are the symptoms and generally only about one of every 100 Infected seriously ill, the RKI further non-diagnosed infections.
With the reporting obligation since 2016 could be probably discovered a disproportionately large number of severe gradients, because in the case of minor illnesses, are less likely to laboratory diagnostics will be initiated.
people in a high age, or with immune deficiency are particularly at risk.
After an infection about a fifth of those Infected develop a febrile, flu-like illness that lasts about three to six days.
The onset of Illness is abrupt with fever, chills, headache, back pain, fatigue, and swelling of the Lymph nodes associated.
In rare cases, brain inflammation develops.
What can you do to protect?
Doctors should especially in summer and late summer in areas with Evidence for Virus with such symptoms to West Nile fever, advises the RKI.
A Transfer is also by organic ions, blood transfusions, graft as well as possible during pregnancy.
A vaccine does not yet exist. Therefore, mosquito repellent is considered to be the best means.
These are in places with lots of mosquitoes, among other things, the Wearing of long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long pants, the application of Sprays, the use of mosquito nets and window screens.
sources
- Robert Koch Institute: West Nile fever-an Overview https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/W/WestNilFieber/West-Nil-Fieber_Ueberblick.html
- Robert Koch Institute, Epidemiological Bulletin, 25/2020 https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Archiv/2020/Ausgaben/25_20.pdf;jsessionid=F7621A42DA9A671A25F7F22372DB1887.internet092?__blob=publication file
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
*The contribution of “West Nile fever: Established now a new Virus in Germany?” is published by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.
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