First human case of West Nile virus detected in Guadeloupe

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First human case of West Nile virus detected in Guadeloupe

Web writing
Thursday August 8, 2024

The Regional Health Agency (ARS) confirms the detection of the first human case of West Nile virus infection in Guadeloupe. A man who had stayed in Guadeloupe contracted the disease after being bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus. He is currently being treated in hospital.

The presence of the virus has been monitored for a long time

Although this is the first time that a human case has been detected in Guadeloupe, the West Nile virus is not a newcomer. As early as 2002, a serological study revealed the circulation of the virus in horses on the island. On June 28, the virus was detected in two horses.

West Nile virus is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which usually contract the virus after biting migratory birds. While in most cases the infection remains asymptomatic, in 20% of cases it can cause flu-like symptoms, with fever, headaches and body aches. In rare cases, mainly in the most vulnerable people, the virus can cause serious neurological complications.

Preventive measures to adopt

Faced with this unprecedented situation, the ARS reminds the Guadeloupean population of the importance of adopting protective measures to limit the risks of contamination. Here are the main recommendations:

Eliminate stagnant water : Mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water, so it is essential to regularly empty bowls, gutters, and any other container that may hold water.
Protect yourself against mosquito bites : Wear long, loose clothing, use repellents and sleep under a mosquito net.
Avoid going out into the mangroves without protection : Mosquitoes of the genus Culex, responsible for transmitting the virus, live mainly in the mangroves.
In addition, specific measures have been taken regarding blood and organ donations, as the virus can be particularly dangerous for people receiving a transplant or blood transfusion.

Call for vigilance

The ARS therefore calls on everyone to be vigilant and to respect these protective measures to avoid any new contamination. The health authorities will continue to closely monitor the development of the situation and will inform the population in the event of new discoveries.

https://www.guadeloupe.franceantill...us-west-nile-detecte-en-guadeloupe-998828.php
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First human case of West Nile virus infection detected in Guadeloupe

Source: https://caribbean.loopnews.com/cont...west-nile-virus-infection-detected-guadeloupe

First human case of West Nile virus infection detected in Guadeloupe
Loop News August 12, 2024 01:14 PM ET​

The Regional Health Agency (ARS Guadeloupe) has been informed of the detection of the first human case of West Nile virus infection on its territory.

ARS Guadeloupe in a statement said a man was infected by the bite of mosquitoes carrying the disease, during his stay in Guadeloupe. The patient is currently being treated at hospital.

West Nile virus is now considered the second most widespread flavivirus after dengue.​...

 

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West Nile virus: three horses die out of fifteen cases recorded in Guadeloupe

The West Nile Virus is indeed present in Guadeloupe and has been for over 20 years. The general public has recently become aware of it, while horses are paying the price for this vector-borne disease, transmitted in particular by mosquito bites; three equines have recently died. The virus can also be transmitted to humans, in rare cases, according to what is observed locally.

Nadine Fadel, with Alexandre Houda • Published on August 26, 2024 at 5:27 p.m.

The West Nile virus (WNV), also known as West Nile fever, is responsible for the death of at least three horses in Guadeloupe . This disease was detected in the archipelago in 2002 ; the contamination already concerned equines at the time. Then the epidemics followed one after the other.

Then, at the beginning of August, for the first time, a man was infected locally.
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A virus under high surveillance.

VWN is considered " the second most widespread flavivirus, after dengue fever" , according to the Guadeloupe/Saint-Barthélemy/Saint-Martin Regional Health Agency (ARS). And, like dengue fever, it is mainly transmitted by bites from infected mosquitoes, particularly to humans.

Insects have inherited this scourge by biting a migratory bird.

It turns out that people and animals, even if they are carriers of the disease, cannot themselves be vectors to other individuals.

The virus is closely monitored, locally, in particular by the Food, Agriculture and Forestry Department (DAAF). In order to assess its level of viral circulation, several surveys have been conducted in the equestrian centers of the archipelago.

This year, it was in Lamentin that a first case of an infected horse was identified.

On June 12, a veterinarian was called to Lamentin to intervene on an equine that presented neurological signs, hyperthermia as well, a decrease in appetite, and ataxia. A blood test was carried out. It was sent to the CIRAD laboratory and, after confirmation at the reference laboratory level in Maison Alfort, West Nile was found and the case was declared positive.
Aurélie Lebon, Head of the Animal, Plant and Environmental Health and Protection Unit at the DAAF of Guadeloupe

Since then, other cases have been detected in different municipalities of the archipelago. The territory currently has around fifteen .

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https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guad...ne-de-cas-recenses-en-guadeloupe-1516799.html

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