• Infections: Meningoencephalitis cases in Seville are due to West Nile Fever

The Andalusian Ministry of Health confirmed this Thursday that the outbreak of meningoencephalitis detected in two towns in Seville is related to West Nile Fever, caused by a virus that is transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes. The counselor Jesús Aguirre has reported that there are 11 tests that have been positive for this disease, 19 affected and 17 hospitalized in Seville , all from the municipalities of Coria del Río and La Puebla del Río. Seven of the patients have had to go to intensive care units (ICU) due to the severity of their symptoms.

What is West Nile Fever?

It is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquito bites. It was first identified in Uganda in 1937, although in recent years it has spread to various countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Western Asia. In Europe it is considered an emerging disease.

How is the transmission?

West Nile virus belongs to the flavivirus genus. According to Natalia Rodríguez, a doctor from the International Health Service of the Hospital Clínic and researcher at ISGlobal, a center promoted by the "la Caixa" Foundation, infection in humans is caused by the bite of a mosquito that has previously been infected with the virus when biting a contaminated bird (virus reservoir). To date, no case of person-to-person transmission has been confirmed.

What symptoms does it produce?

"In approximately 80% of those affected, the infection is asymptomatic," says Rodríguez. The remaining 20% ​​usually have a flu-like picture, with fever, headaches, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes a skin rash. In less than 1% there is a neurological affectation, such as paralysis of a nerve or the appearance of meningoencephalitis, the inflammation of the layers that cover the brain.

Which is the treatment?

There is no specific treatment or vaccine. Those affected by severe forms of the disease are provided with supportive measures and prevention of secondary infections.

What types of mosquitoes carry the infection?

According to Rodríguez, the main vector of the infection are the mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens species , a type of mosquito common in Spain. It is not an invasive species. Birds are reservoirs of the virus (it has been detected, for example, in some species of migratory birds). The bite of an infected mosquito can cause illness in both humans and horses.

Why does this disease occur in Europe?

According to data from the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC), 12 cases of West Nile fever have been reported in Europe since the beginning of the year (10 in Greece and 2 in Romania).

"Due to climate change and the effects of globalization, these types of emerging diseases are increasing in Europe," explains Rodríguez, who recalls that, to reduce their incidence, it is necessary to have a global perspective, which combines measures related to human health , animal health and also that of the planet.

Why did the first analyzes of the Seville outbreak seem to point in another direction?

At first, the Board released a statement in which it stated that the first tests carried out were negative for some of the probable causes of the infection, such as Nile fever. "All the necessary samples have been taken and sent to the reference laboratory, being for the moment four negative for the main bacteria and viruses, as well as for PCR of Nile fever, Tuscany and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, with IgM for Nile fever virus also negative ", stated the text . Natalia Rodríguez clarifies that, as with other infections, in the case of this emerging disease, it is possible that both the viral load and the antibodies that the immune system develops to fight the virus attack take a while to face up, therefore, if the analyzes are made early, the positive may not be reflected in the tests.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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