Ministry of Health shares details on West Nile Fever disease

The Ministry of Health has announced to the public the symptoms, clinical course, and ways to protect against West Nile Fever, a disease transmitted by the bites of Culex mosquitoes.

Transmission Route and Propagation Cycle

West Nile Fever is known as a viral disease transmitted to humans through the bites of Culex mosquitoes. This disease, whose agent is the West Nile Virus, maintains its presence by forming a cycle between wild birds and mosquitoes in nature.

Humans and horses are considered dead-end hosts in this cycle. There is no direct transmission cycle from an infected human to a mosquito and from there to another human.

Symptoms and Clinical Course

The vast majority, 80 percent of infected individuals, do not show any symptoms. In 20 percent of the patient group, a flu-like clinical picture lasting three to ten days emerges.

The most common symptoms include high fever, severe headache, weakness, exhaustion, muscle and joint pain, vomiting, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

Severe and Neuroinvasive Conditions

In less than 1 percent of individuals who contract the virus, the disease develops into a severe form called neuroinvasive. In this case, the virus reaches the central nervous system.

The virus reaching the central nervous system can lead to life-threatening severe conditions such as encephalitis and meningitis. This condition is generally seen in the elderly and those with weakened immunity.

Prevention Methods and Precautions

There is no developed vaccine or directly effective medication for the disease; supportive treatment is applied to patients. The most effective way of protection is to avoid mosquito bites.

Window screens should be used in living spaces, stagnant waters should be drained, light-colored and long clothing should be worn, and insect repellent products should be preferred.