The West Nile virus is increasingly spreading in Europe. Urban areas and areas where intensive agriculture is practiced are particularly affected by this development. Here too you can become infected with this pathogen.
West Nile virus usually infects birds, but rarely humans. The vectors are mosquitoes. “The risk of contracting West Nile fever in Austria remains low,” reassures the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES).
“In 2023, a single case was reported in Austria; the affected person most likely became infected in Italy,” said AGES: “So far there have been no human deaths in Austria.” About 80 percent of human infections typically go unnoticed because they cause no symptoms. Nearly 20 percent of those affected develop flu-like symptoms, and seven in a thousand infected people develop ‘West Nile virus-associated meningoencephalitis’ (inflammation of the brain and meninges, take note).
Transmission via Gelsen stitches
A team of researchers led by Lu Lu from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) has mapped the history of the development and spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Europe. The West Nile virus is transmitted through gel bites. Normally it circulates among blood-sucking mosquitoes and birds, which are the “main hosts.” But people and other mammals, especially horses, can also become ill, AGES explains: “However, they represent a dead end for the virus.” The virus can no longer pass from humans and horses to mosquitoes and therefore cannot spread to other people or be transmitted to animals.
The West Nile virus has been circulating in Europe since the 1960s, researchers report in the journal ‘Plos Pathogens’.
There is a particularly high degree of spread where intensive agriculture is practiced. This is probably because there are bird species that are often infected with the West Nile virus. The virus also spreads along the flight paths of migratory birds.
In addition, the virus “tends to be attracted to areas with high levels of urbanization,” the researchers wrote. There is a strong ecological imbalance due to human changes, a mosquito community that is poorly balanced in terms of biodiversity and an increasing number of ‘common mosquitoes’ (Culex pipiens).
Supervision is essential
Based on their study results, the researchers recommend establishing “enhanced monitoring for the early detection of further spread into areas of intensive agricultural use and migratory bird habitats.” In addition, more attention should be paid to urban regions.
According to AGES, national Gelsen monitoring has been carried out in Austria for several years. In addition, a new monitoring project called “OH SURVector” was started in early 2024 and is funded by the EU.
AGES experts report that 60 traps were set up across Austria for 24 hours in the first and third week of the month from May to October, mainly in urban areas. This would be a favorable habitat for the main vector, namely the common mosquito “Culex pipiens”.
Unfortunately, according to AGES, there is no preventive vaccine for humans. The easiest way to prevent infections is to avoid gel punctures.
Source: Krone
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