Europe - West Nile Fever Outbreaks 2020 - Media reports

[Gert van der Hoek]

HELLAS 19.07.2020 : 12:06

West Nile virus: Where were the first two cases detected in Greece
LABELS:
The first two laboratory-confirmed cases of West Nile virus infection for the 2020 transmission period were diagnosed in Greece as well, as informed by the National Organization of Public Health (EODY).

One was diagnosed in the Peripheral Unit of Xanthi (municipality of Topeiros) and the other in the Peripheral Unit of Karditsa (municipality of Karditsa).

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus discovered in a bird in Germany

july16, 2020

The first wild bird with a West Nile infection was discovered in Germany this mosquito season.


The blue tit was found dead in Berlin's Treptow-K?penick district last week and examined in the Berlin-Brandenburg state laboratory, the Senate Department for Consumer Protection said. It is the first nationwide detection of the virus this mosquito season.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

WEDNESDAY JULY 22, 2020

Germany - Thuringia

West Nile Virus in Snowy Owl in Thuringian Zoo Park

Erfurt (dpa / th) - The West Nile virus has been detected in one animal in Thuringia. The infection was found in a snowy owl that had fallen ill and died in the Erfurt Zoopark, the Thuringian Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday. The owl had died at the end of last week. According to the ministry, the virus transmitted by blood-sucking mosquitoes mainly occurs in birds, especially sparrows, ravens and birds of prey. In other wild birds, the infection is usually asymptomatic.

The virus was first detected in a horse from a stock in the Unstrut district last October. According to the Ministry, transmission to horses or humans is rather rare. There is also no risk of infection from horses or humans, because the virus does not multiply so rapidly that mosquitoes can carry it on again.
Vaccination is available for horses. The Ministry advises horse owners to have their animals vaccinated. In verifiably infected areas, insect protection treatment of the horses, nightly accommodation in stables and the removal of water points as mosquito hatcheries can be useful. This is recommended for the area around Erfurt and Bad Langensalza.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus: Of the 6 cases in Greece, 5 had complications


14:03 24.07.2020 - Source: NewsIt


West Nile virus cases are on the rise in our country, with 5 of the 6 recorded cases to date, showing complications from the central nervous system.

This weekly report of EODY on West Nile virus (DN) infection reports six (6) cases of West Nile virus infection in Greece, of which five (5) presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System ( CNS, encephalitis and / or meningitis and / or acute loose paralysis) and one (1) had mild manifestations (febrile illness) / had no CNS manifestations.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Germany - West Nile Virus registered in another state - in birds

The pathogen was already found in a blue tit in Berlin a few days ago - now it has also been found in two birds in Saxony-Anhalt.

The West Nile virus has also been detected in two birds in Saxony-Anhalt. The State Office for Consumer Protection of Saxony-Anhalt announced that there had also been evidence in Berlin and Erfurt this year.

In mid-July of this year, the pathogen was already found in a blue tit in Berlin. In Saxony-Anhalt it is an alpine chough from Halle and an eagle owl from Bernburg. The infections were diagnosed on July 15 and July 21.

The virus, originally from Africa and transmitted by mosquitoes, was first registered in Germany in 2018 in birds and horses. In late summer 2019, there were some diagnosed human infections in eastern Germany for the first time, which were probably due to mosquito transmission in Germany - in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Greece - West Nile virus: An 80-year-old man is the first victim of the mosquito virus

• Gianna Soulaki
• 30 July 2020

The first death from West Nile virus this summer occurred this week. According to the latest data of EODY, this is an 80-year-old man, while the total cases of the virus are 10.


West Nile virus caused the death of a patient over the age of 80, with underlying diseases, according to a weekly report of epidemiological surveillance of West Nile virus infection by the National Agency for Public Health (EODY).

Nine out of 10 cases had Central Nervous System manifestations (CNS, encephalitis and / or meningitis and / or acute mild paralysis) and one had mild manifestations (febrile illness) / no CNS manifestations.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Spain - Cases of people hospitalized for the Nile virus remain at 21


To try to stop the number of cases, the necessary protocols have been activated to fight against the mosquito that is considered to transmit this disease


17 Aug 2020 -


A total of 21 people are still hospitalized in the province of Seville for cases associated with the Nile virus , which maintains the figure for yesterday's day, in which the 25 reported last Saturday was reduced by four .

This has been indicated to Efe by sources from the Ministry of Health, which indicate that the figures in the last 24 hours have remained stable, which indicate that, of hospitalized patients, seven are in the ICU, two less than in the past.

The total number of associated cases is 26 between probable and confirmed, according to the Board, while fully confirmed as carriers of the disease are 13, and in all cases these are patients with meningoencephalitis.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

SPAIN

For Jordi Figuerola, the explanation for the proliferation of cases may be due to the fact that it has been a "very rainy spring , in which it has rained at least a couple of days every week."

The Nile virus and confinement

Confinement during the coronavirus pandemic has also had a lot to do with it, says the researcher: "The drums and tanks have not been cleaned and that is why the mosquitoes have bred as they wanted."

30% more mosquitoes have been detected in the area.

Figuerola remembers that the mosquito does not travel great distances, and that it takes advantage of the dammed water , puddles, swamps, wells to reproduce.

Jordi Figuerola recommends preventing water from accumulating. You have to remove the water "even from the plates in the pots" and of course check wells and tanks and install mosquito nets.

Whenever you go out at sunset it is essential to use mosquito repellent, at least in the area of ​​Coria, Puebla del R?o and Palomares, the places where the majority of cases are registered.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Italy - West Nile, the infected is a 69-year-old from the lower Modena area: she is in intensive care.

august 17, 2020

To date, a case of West Nile Disease in a person hospitalized in recent days at the Modena Polyclinic has been ascertained by the Public Hygiene Service of the USL of Modena. Appeal of the Ausl The common mosquito (culex pipiens) in fact, unlike the tiger mosquito, is unfortunately found everywhere in the evening, so alongside the larvicidal treatments and the care of green spaces, avoiding being stung is the best defense ".

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Spain, Andalucia - The Board authorizes mass spraying to eliminate mosquitoes

• All areas likely to promote the procreation of the insect will be subjected to operations for their elimination
• More municipalities undertake disinfection work
• Suspected cases of having the Nile virus rise to 33

august 20, 2020

The Goverment of Andaluc?a has definitively declared total war against the mosquito that transmits the so-called Nile fever and that in the area of ​​Coria del R?o and La Puebla del R?o has already infected 33 people between probable (27) and confirmed ( 6). 26 of them are hospitalized, eight of them in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).


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Nile virus detected in horses

Meanwhile, the veterinary authorities have focused their full attention on two more cases of horses suspected of being infected by the Nile virus: one in Utrera and the other in the province of Huelva. "It seems that they are infected by this virus, which carries this mosquito and which passes, in this case, from horses to people," reported the president from Cazorla. "We are identifying the animal hut that may be infected to locate them, isolate them and cure them as soon as possible to avoid contagion to human beings," Moreno explained before trusting that throughout this week, or the week that comes, "everything is absolutely controlled."

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Spain - The Nile virus outbreak that affects Andalusia is the largest in its history with 35 infected people

august 20, 2020

Nile virus cases continue to increase. The largest outbreak of this virus that has been registered in Andalusia already affects 35 people from Coria del R?o and La Puebla del R?o (Seville), of which 33 are hospitalized, seven of them in the ICU, according to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Health.
The director of the Aljarafe health district, Roc?o Hern?ndez, explained at a press conference that there is no precedent for an outbreak with so many people affected in Andalusia, although there is in Romania or Greece, and added that six cases are confirmed, 19 are "probable ?And ten are awaiting the results of the tests that have been done.

The average age of affected patients is 60 years, and 71% are men , Hern?ndez said.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Italy - Alexandria, hospitalized a man suffering from Nile fever encephalitis


20 August 2020

A case of West Nile encephalitis, the 'West Nile fever', in Piedmont. He was diagnosed in the infectious diseases department of the Alessandria hospital where a resident of the province is hospitalized. The case is closely observed epidemiologically by the regional bodies (Seremi) and by the competent offices of the ASL of Alessandria.

In Piedmont, the search for the West Nile virus is already active in all blood donations (another possible vehicle of infection). These days similar reports in the neighboring regions, in particular in the Lodi area, where 13 cases have been diagnosed.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Spain - The Nile virus already claims two victims in Andalusia


Friday 21 August 2020

An 85-year-old woman died this Friday in Seville from the Nile virus , the second victim of a disease caused by mosquito bites and that affects 38 people, three more than yesterday, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health .

The number of positive samples for Nile fever is 25, and the number of confirmed cases is six, while the patients admitted to hospital centers are 23, of which seven remain in the ICU. The woman who has died was admitted to the Virgen del Roc?o University Hospital.

Last night , a 77-year-old neighbor of La Puebla del R?o (Seville) was the first fatality of this outbreak of the Nile virus in the province of Seville. This man had been admitted for several days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Virgen del Roc?o hospital in Seville.

This outbreak of the Nile virus is the largest that has been recorded in Andalusia, which is attributed to the 30% increase in mosquitoes in the wetlands of the Do?ana National Park and the Guadalquivir river near La Puebla and Coria del River, the populations of which they are affected.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

A zoo in Spain, forced to close due to the Nile virus

Saturday, August 22, 2020

The disease, which has already killed two people, has affected several animals on the premises

There are already two fatalities left by the Nile virus in Spain. The common mosquito is the transmitter of this disease, which has also affected several animals at a Spanish zoo. The Zoobot?nico de Jerez ( Andalusia ) has been forced to close its doors to the public since this Friday. A badger and a black vulture have recently died, having tested positive for Nile virus.

The delegate of the Zoobot?nico, Rub?n P?rez, pointed out yesterday that it was proceeding "to the closure, of a preventive nature, since safety and public health are an absolute priority." He also insisted that "everyone's safety is our priority and, although there is no evidence of epidemiological risks, we prefer to close."

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Spain - Cases associated with the Nile virus increase to 42, two more than yesterday

24 08 2020

So far, two people in Seville have died from the virus, an 85-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man. The number of positive samples for the Nile virus is 29

This outbreak of Nile virus is the largest that has been recorded in Andalusia , which is attributed to the 30% increase in mosquitoes in the wetlands of the Do?ana National Park and the Guadalquivir river near La Puebla and Coria del River, the populations in which it has been detected.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Spain - Third deceased in Seville from the Nile virus

The number of positive samples is reduced by 3 compared to this Thursday and by another 3 that of admitted

28 08 2020

A 70-year-old man who was admitted to the ICU of the Virgen del Roc?o Hospital in Seville is the third death from the Nile virus , whose affected people have dropped to 47, as reported by the Andalusian Ministry of Health this Friday.

This department has reported that the number of 47 affected is divided into the number of those who have given positive samples for Nile fever, which are 33 , but have not tested positive in all the clinical parameters subjected to analysis, while the other 14 are fully confirmed .


There are 14 patients admitted to hospitals, while yesterday Thursday they were 17 , and six of them are kept in the ICU, the same number as yesterday. So far, three people have died in Seville from the virus, since previously the death of an 85-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man was registered .

This outbreak of the Nile virus is the largest that has been recorded in Andalusia , which is attributed to the 30% increase in mosquitoes in the wetlands of the Do?ana National Park and the Guadalquivir River near La Puebla and Coria del Rio, the Sevillian populations in which it has been detected.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Italy - A man who died of Nile fever in the Cremona area

Eighty year old deceased, another patient comes out of intensive care

ANSA) - MILAN, AUGUST 31 - An 80-year-old man died of Nile fever at the Maggiore hospital in Cremona. To reveal it to the Province of Cremona is the head of Pneumology Giancarlo Bosio. After him, a seventy-year-old was hospitalized after mid-August in intensive care but his conditions have improved and he is now in pneumology.

"The patient is better and we are starting to think about the rehabilitation program" he explained adding that "this year he is the second patient with this fever. Unfortunately, before him an eighty-year-old was hospitalized who did not make it".

These are not the only cases in the area already hit by the Coronavirus epidemic since February: several patients have also been hospitalised.

"There is no link with Covid, except for the fact that there is no cure for that either", Bosio pointed out. It is a virus that does not normally cause major problems, but in one out of 150 cases it causes neurological diseases.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

[FONT=source_sans_probold]Romania - A man from Galaţi died after being diagnosed with a new coronavirus infection, but also West Nile meningitis[/FONT]

Author: Remus Vlad, Editor

Published: 03/09/2020 16:11


A 49-year-old man from Galaţi died of coronavirus infection, as well as West Nile meningitis. He was diagnosed at the Buzău County Hospital, but died at the "Victor Babeş" Hospital in the Capital, where he was transferred, in serious condition, announces news.ro.

According to the Buzău Public Health Directorate, the 49-year-old man from Galaţi was brought to the Emergency Reception Unit of the Buzău County Hospital, with suspected encephalitis. He was tested and diagnosed with West Nile virus meningoencephalitis. He was later tested for coronavirus, which also tested positive.

The patient's condition worsened, so the doctors decided to transfer him to the "Victor Babeş" Hospital in Bucharest. In this hospital, the man from Galaţi died.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Four autochthonous infections

Infected with the West Nile virus in Germany



At least four people were infected with the West Nile virus in Germany in August 2020. One fear seems to be coming true: The virus will probably establish itself in this country.

Published: 04.09.2020

Berlin. In mid-August, autochthonous infections with the West Nile virus (WNV) in humans were reported in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) ( Epi Bull 36/2020 )reports that WNV-infected animals have been reported in the regions in central-eastern Germany that are affected by WNV circulation between mosquitoes and birds since July. So far, all human infections have been people who have tested positive as part of a blood or plasma donation.

The National Reference Center for Tropical Infections at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine has so far confirmed four findings as WNV infections by sequencing, in contrast to the Usutu virus and other flaviviruses. According to the RKI, further suspected cases are still being clarified.

If the encephalitis is unclear, consider WNV!

It was only last year that five suspected mosquito-borne autochthonous human WNV infections were identified in Germany for the first time . The patients became ill at the end of August / beginning of September, and the diagnosis was made when their illness was clarified. WNV-infected blood donors were not known in 2019.

The RKI had already warned in 2019 of the further spread of WNV in Germany and asked doctors to consider possible infections with the West Nile virus in the future in the event of unclear encephalitis.

The institute reinforces this warning once more: Doctors should especially in summer and late summer and in areas with known WNV circulation in animals (especially in eastern Germany: Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania; but also Bavaria and Hamburg) initiate a WNV diagnosis in people with etiologically unclear encephalitis and in local clusters of patients with fever of unclear origin (with or without a rash), even if the people have no travel history.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Italy - West Nile fever: the first infection in Monferrato

It is asymptomatic

That of the West Nile Virus, the so-called "Nile Fever", the virus that has mosquitoes as a vector, is a theme that, in recent weeks, after the first case in the province of Alexandria, is at the attention of our chronicles and, likewise, of the local political agenda. Apparently, however, it would appear to be destined to stay there. In fact, there would be the first case of contagion in Monferrato: it would be an asymptomatic person residing in the Moncalvese areas.

The news follows another positive finding, dating back to the beginning of August, when the virus was found in a magpie captured in the municipality of Rosignano.

Monitoring the entomological spread of the virus is Ipla, the subsidiary company of the Region that coordinates the treatments for the fight against mosquitoes, which carries out entomological surveillance shifts of the season by Ipla for "the identification of the circulation of West Nile viruses and Usutu ?in Monferrato. In recent days, for example, in a large area of ​​Piedmont, "232 specimens have been captured grouped in 25 pools that will be analyzed by the IZS of Turin".

report on "Il Monferrato" on Friday 4 September