WEST NILE VIRUS CASE - SINCE LAST WEEK, THE 74 YEAR OLD HAS BEEN IN HOSPITAL - FROM BIRDS TO MOSQUITOES TO HUMANS - PROTECTION MEASURES - Filenews 20/8 by Marilena Panayi
The authorities are on increased alert after the confirmation of the first, for this year, case of West Nile virus in Cyprus with the deputy director general of the Ministry of Health, Elizabeth Constantinou, calling for the implementation of protection measures against mosquitoes.
The condition of the 74-year-old man who was admitted with relative, severe symptoms to the Nicosia general hospital on August 14, is considered serious, but, as OKYPY spokesman Charalambos Charilaou told Filenews, "in the last 24 hours it has been improving".
As he explained, "the patient, who does not seem to have a travel history, was admitted last week and yesterday, laboratory tests confirmed that it is the West Nile virus."
"He is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the Nicosia General Hospital with encephalitis, as a result of the infection and is receiving appropriate monitoring."
For her part, the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, Elizabeth Constantinou, appealed, through Filenews, to citizens to be especially careful and take the appropriate protection measures against mosquitoes.
"It is not unprecedented to have a case of West Nile virus in Cyprus," he said and added that "almost every year we have some cases and it seems that we have now recorded the first for this year."
The Ministry of Health makes the following recommendations to avoid bites from infected mosquitoes
- We wear clothes with long sleeves and long pants, especially from afternoon to morning.
- We use appropriate insect repellents, always following the manufacturer's instructions.
- The Ministry reports insect repellents with active substances such as DEET, picaridin and IR3535.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should follow their doctor's instructions.
- Products with DEET are not used in infants under two months of age.
- Products with eucalyptus essential oil are not used in children under three years of age.
We install screens on doors and windows.
- We use mosquito nets, especially for infants or when insect repellent cannot be used.
- We use fans, preferably ceiling, or air conditioning. The wind makes it difficult for mosquitoes to approach, without exterminating them.
Limitation of breeding sites
- We remove stagnant water from basins, vases, pot saucers, old tires, gutters and other parts of the garden.
- We check and fix leaking water pipes.
- We remove or cover objects and old tires in which water can accumulate.
- We regularly mow grass, shrubs and dense vegetation, where adult mosquitoes take refuge.
- We water preferably in the morning hours.
- We cover the ventilation ducts of the cesspools with screens.
- In swimming pools and fountains, we activate the cleaning filters daily, in order to remove eggs and mosquito larvae.
Use of insecticides
- Approved products containing pyrethroids, such as aerosols, tablets, evaporative solutions, and IUDs, may be used.
- Indoor or outdoor insecticides are not applied to the skin.
- The manufacturer's instructions for use, ventilation and safety are strictly followed.
The Ministry also includes the use of yellow lamps in outdoor lighting, because they attract mosquitoes to a lesser extent.
How West Nile virus is transmitted and what are the symptoms
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans mainly by the bite of an infected mosquito.
A mosquito becomes infected when it bites a bird that carries the virus and can then transmit it to a human or other animal.
Mosquitoes that mainly carry the virus belong to the genus Culex. These are the well-known common mosquitoes that are most active from dusk until morning.
This particular mosquito exists and is particularly widespread in Cyprus. Scientific research ranks it among the most abundant species of mosquitoes on the island. It reproduces in stagnant water that can accumulate in pots, buckets, gutters, containers, old tires, manholes, and uncovered tanks.
This does not mean that every common mosquito carries the virus. In order to infect a person, it must first have been fed by a bird carrying the virus.
The virus is not transmitted by daily contact between people, such as by touching, coughing, sneezing, or staying in the same place.
About eight out of ten people who become infected do not show symptoms. Those who develop mild illness may have fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or rash.
In less than 1% of infections, the virus can attack the nervous system and cause encephalitis or meningitis. High fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, convulsions or muscle weakness need immediate medical evaluation.
The elderly, the immunocompromised and people with chronic diseases are mainly at greater risk of severe disease.
