The specialist said that West Nile virus is a flavivirus and is transmitted by mosquitoes.
"Its natural reservoir is birds. Mosquitoes carry the virus from birds to humans. Infections are also known in other mammals, such as horses. Cases of human-to-human transmission of the virus are unlikely, although cases of infection through contact with the blood and other secretions of infected birds have been described. Due to these features, outbreaks of WNV fever may occur, but an epidemic is extremely unlikely, "Agranovsky said.
He noted that West Nile virus can cause fever, headache, fatigue and body aches, as well as nausea, vomiting, sometimes skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.
"And in some cases, one in 150 infected people can lead to a dangerous neurological disease. However, about 80% of infected people do not have any symptoms. People over 50 years of age and immunocompromised patients are most sensitive to the severe course of the disease," the virologist added.
According to him, there is no WNV vaccine for humans.
"For patients with neuroinvasive West Nile disease, supportive treatment is recommended: intravenous infusions, assisted mechanical ventilation, and prevention of secondary infections. As a preventive measure, mosquito repellents, protective nets on the windows of houses in places where outbreaks of the disease are possible are recommended, "the RT interlocutor concluded.
Earlier, the department of Rospotrebnadzor in the Rostov region confirmed two cases of West Nile fever in Volgodonsk.
The department associates the spread of the disease with the heat, which led to the activation of mosquito vectors, especially near water bodies. Crows, pigeons, ducks, terns can also be related to its transmission.