Introduction
West Nile fever is caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes. The symptoms are very unspecific and can easily be confused with other infectious diseases or flu. Often the infection is asymptomatic.
This means that the person affected does not suffer from any symptoms. In exceptional cases, however, the disease can take a fatal course. The West Nile virus occurs worldwide on all five continents. In Germany, however, it is very rare.
Causes
West Nile fever is caused by the West Nile virus. This belongs to the flavivirus family, which also includes the yellow fever virus. The virus is transmitted via bites of mosquitoes.
Other animals in which the virus lives are mainly birds. They serve the virus mainly as hosts or reserves and are responsible for the wide spread of the virus. In rare cases the virus is also transmitted from person to person. However, this can only happen during blood transfusions, organ transplants or when breastfeeding from mother to baby. However, these transmission routes are very rare.
How is the disease transmitted?
The viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes and mosquitoes. There are a variety of mosquito species that can transmit this virus. Transmission between humans is only possible via blood products, organ transplants or breast milk. Therefore, people who have West Nile Fever do not need to be isolated.
Where does West Nile Fever occur?
West Nile fever is spread worldwide. Endemic areas, i.e. areas where West Nile Fever is widespread, are mainly North America and Africa. In Europe the fever has also spread in recent years.
The south and east of Europe, e.g. Greece, are affected. In Germany the infection is very rare. As a rule, those affected have infected themselves abroad.
Probably it is too cold in Germany, so that the mosquitoes that transmit the virus cannot survive. However, due to climatic changes it is possible that the mosquitoes will spread in Germany as well. Despite the use of pesticides against the mosquitoes, it has not yet been possible to limit the spread in the endemic areas.
