The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) confirmed two cases of West Nile virus infection in Romania until August 1.
West Nile virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites – Photo Shutterstock
It is about a person in the age group of 60-69 years and an 80-year-old person infected with West Nile. The two people are from Bucharest and Mureş County.
West Nile virus is transmitted mainly through mosquito bites and can cause severe neurological conditions
To prevent West Nile virus infections, authorities recommend the following measures:
1. Avoid exposure to mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved clothing and long pants.
2. To use chemical repellents for mosquitoes;
3. To prevent mosquitoes from entering the house (through protective nets on the windows);
4. To ensure the drainage of puddles around the household;
5. To remove containers of stagnant water and household waste from the household.
We remind you that in four sectors of Bucharest, cases of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus were identified, the last positive samples being detected in Sector 3, according to the report of experts from the Cantacuzino Institute. Following this discovery, the City Hall of the Capital intensified the treatments against mosquitoes in the affected areas.
The cases of West Nile virus disease in Romania, which occur almost every summer, are attributed to the lack of effective preventive measures against mosquitoes, according to Dr. Emilian Popovici, vice president of the Romanian Society of Epidemiology.
“We take measures only after the first cases of disease appear, only after the mosquito populations are present and very present. Obviously, the result of these disinsection measures is now a limited one”, the epidemiologist previously said for “The truth”.
Doctors advise us not to panic, because not all people bitten by mosquitoes develop West Nile disease or suffer from severe forms. Symptoms, when they occur, are rare and include headache, nausea, fever and muscle aches.
“Most cases of West Nile develop with a limited infection as symptoms and self-limited as extension in time. But, of course, there can also be cases with a serious evolution, and then the person in question must go to the doctor”, said Dr. Emilian Popovici. the doctor This is also the case of the man from Bucharest who is hospitalized at the “Victor Babeș” Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Bucharest and who is in a good condition, say the doctors who have him under supervision.
Alexandru Rafila: “We will have more cases”
The Minister of Health, Alexandru Rafila, warned that there is a possibility that new cases may appear in the coming period.
“We are at the beginning of the season, the maximum will probably be at the end of August”said Alexandru Rafila on Antena 3.
“We will certainly have more cases, there were years when hundreds of cases were diagnosed, 25 years ago it was the first time this disease was identified in Romania and it was quite a serious situation. For now things are under control”the Minister of Health also said.
Alexandru Rafila declared that, against the backdrop of climate change, Romania could face new types of pathologies specific to tropical areas. The Minister of Health also emphasized that doctors in infectious disease hospitals in the country are prepared to treat patients with such conditions.
