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New case of malaria discovered near Zaventem airport
A new case of malaria has been discovered near Zaventem. It is the fourth time in three years that a person has been infected with the virus without having traveled before, the newspaper “De Standaard” reported. It would be a woman living in Steenokkerzeel, in Flemish Brabant.
Writing 22-07-22, 11:33 Last update: 11:36
The woman has fallen seriously ill in recent weeks. A mosquito on a plane between Africa and Belgium is responsible for the infection, according to the Flemish Agency for Care and Health. "The track of a native mosquito has been virtually ruled out," spokesman Joris Moonens said.
Two years earlier, a couple living in Kampenhout, a municipality in Flemish Brabant, also caught malaria. These infections were linked to a mosquito which had then boarded a plane to Zaventem or Melsbroek. The couple did not survive the disease.
"Very rare"
The frequency of the number of cases is a little higher than normal”, communicated Joris Moonens. "We see about one case a year, so it's still very rare. It's too early to talk about a trend, but we're still keeping an eye on it.” The “Sciensano” Health Institute does not expect the disease to spread. “
The African mosquito carrying malaria cannot survive in our regions with a fairly temperate climate. It is still interesting to note that each case arrived just after a heat peak in the country.
https://www.7sur7.be/sante/nouveau-c...ntem~a2b77cda/
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Another malaria case linked to Zaventem airport: "GPs, be vigilant"
A woman from Steenokkerzeel was diagnosed with malaria a few weeks ago. It is the fourth case linked to the airport in three years. It is often caused by mosquitoes that are present on flights that land at Zaventem or Melsbroek. Governments are calling for vigilance.
Helen Luyckx
09:27
The woman from Steenokkerzeel was hospitalized seriously ill at the beginning of July. After a number of investigations, malaria was diagnosed. "The woman herself did not travel to a tropical destination. That is why everything indicates, especially given her hometown, that she was infected by a mosquito that entered our country via the airport," says Joris Moonens, of the Flemish Agency for Care and Health. .
Fourth case in three years
Cases with malaria are exceptional in our country. But the disease is now resurfacing for the third year in a row. Last year an employee of the airport became infected and two years ago a couple from Kampenhout died of malaria. Their infections were also linked to free-riding mosquitoes. The phenomenon is also known as "suitcase malaria" . "Every year we now count one or two infections," adds Joris Moonens. "The infections always took place after a warm period. The chance that an exotic mosquito survives here is greater then."
Governments call for vigilance
There is no need to panic, but the government calls for vigilance. "In particular, general practitioners in the region and occupational health services at the airport should be aware that malaria also occurs with us. When they see patients with symptoms such as fever and muscle pain, but cannot find the cause, they should take this into account. with malaria as a possible diagnosis," says Joris Moonens.
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/07...link-met-luch/
New case of malaria discovered near Zaventem airport
A new case of malaria has been discovered near Zaventem. It is the fourth time in three years that a person has been infected with the virus without having traveled before, the newspaper “De Standaard” reported. It would be a woman living in Steenokkerzeel, in Flemish Brabant.
Writing 22-07-22, 11:33 Last update: 11:36
The woman has fallen seriously ill in recent weeks. A mosquito on a plane between Africa and Belgium is responsible for the infection, according to the Flemish Agency for Care and Health. "The track of a native mosquito has been virtually ruled out," spokesman Joris Moonens said.
Two years earlier, a couple living in Kampenhout, a municipality in Flemish Brabant, also caught malaria. These infections were linked to a mosquito which had then boarded a plane to Zaventem or Melsbroek. The couple did not survive the disease.
"Very rare"
The frequency of the number of cases is a little higher than normal”, communicated Joris Moonens. "We see about one case a year, so it's still very rare. It's too early to talk about a trend, but we're still keeping an eye on it.” The “Sciensano” Health Institute does not expect the disease to spread. “
The African mosquito carrying malaria cannot survive in our regions with a fairly temperate climate. It is still interesting to note that each case arrived just after a heat peak in the country.
https://www.7sur7.be/sante/nouveau-c...ntem~a2b77cda/
-----------------------------------------------------
Another malaria case linked to Zaventem airport: "GPs, be vigilant"
A woman from Steenokkerzeel was diagnosed with malaria a few weeks ago. It is the fourth case linked to the airport in three years. It is often caused by mosquitoes that are present on flights that land at Zaventem or Melsbroek. Governments are calling for vigilance.
Helen Luyckx
09:27
The woman from Steenokkerzeel was hospitalized seriously ill at the beginning of July. After a number of investigations, malaria was diagnosed. "The woman herself did not travel to a tropical destination. That is why everything indicates, especially given her hometown, that she was infected by a mosquito that entered our country via the airport," says Joris Moonens, of the Flemish Agency for Care and Health. .
Fourth case in three years
Cases with malaria are exceptional in our country. But the disease is now resurfacing for the third year in a row. Last year an employee of the airport became infected and two years ago a couple from Kampenhout died of malaria. Their infections were also linked to free-riding mosquitoes. The phenomenon is also known as "suitcase malaria" . "Every year we now count one or two infections," adds Joris Moonens. "The infections always took place after a warm period. The chance that an exotic mosquito survives here is greater then."
Governments call for vigilance
There is no need to panic, but the government calls for vigilance. "In particular, general practitioners in the region and occupational health services at the airport should be aware that malaria also occurs with us. When they see patients with symptoms such as fever and muscle pain, but cannot find the cause, they should take this into account. with malaria as a possible diagnosis," says Joris Moonens.
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/07...link-met-luch/