The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) holds infection with the tropical disease West Nile fever in Germany permanently for possible.
Experience with the pathogen in southern European countries suggested that the West Nile-establish fever in Germany and is likely to continue to expand, the latest Epidemiological Bulletin of the Institute.
So the West is spreading Nile Virus
The West Nile Virus is from Africa-born pathogen that is spread by migratory birds to Europe.
Mostly the Virus by mosquitoes is transmitted between wild birds.
In birds, infected mosquitoes can horses the pathogen but also on mammals, especially on humans.
In contrast to birds, horses and humans can’t be a virus source for mosquitoes.
Infection in Germany has already been demonstrated
The pathogen was apparently overwinter in the situation in Germany, it says in the Bulletin.
In 2018, the Virus has been demonstrated in birds and horses.
2019 there were in East Germany in the late summer for the first time, five of the diagnosed infections in people that were probably on mosquito transmission in the home.
Registered the Virus in patients in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. The heat-beneficiary area of the upper Rhine applies to the RKI as a further risk area.
Apparently, there is a risk in the world
The pathogen can be transmitted in Germany by the widespread mosquitoes of the genus Culex.
In southern Europe it is transmitted has long been seasonal in the summer and may overwinter there.
Before 2019, the infections were only observed in travelers after their return to Germany.
The Virus is in Africa, Israel, the West, Turkey, the Middle East, India, Parts of Southeast Asia and now also in North and Parts widely used in Central America.
Abroad, 2019 evidence to put seven German citizens. Deaths were not known.
Picture gallery: Local stinging insects at a Glance
Possible symptoms and infection histories
Since only a small part of the Infected are the symptoms and generally only about one of every 100 Infected seriously ill, the RKI further non-diagnosed infections.
With the reporting obligation since 2016 could be probably discovered a disproportionately large number of severe gradients, because in the case of minor illnesses, are less likely to laboratory diagnostics will be initiated.
People in a high age, or with immune deficiency are particularly at risk.
After infection, approximately one-fifth of those Infected develop a febrile, flu-like illness that lasts about three to six days.
The disease onset is abrupt with fever, chills, headache, back pain, fatigue, and swelling of the Lymph nodes associated.
In rare cases, brain inflammation develops.
What can you do to protect?
Doctors should especially in summer and late summer in areas with Evidence for Virus with such symptoms to West Nile fever, advises the RKI.
A Transfer was also graft by organic ions, blood transfusions, and during pregnancy possible.
A vaccine does not yet exist. Therefore, mosquito repellent is considered to be the best means.
This includes the Wearing of long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long pants, the application of Sprays, the use of mosquito nets and window screens count in places with lots of mosquitoes.
Sources
- Robert Koch Institute: West Nile fever-an Overview https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/W/WestNilFieber/West-Nil-Fieber_Ueberblick.html
- The Robert Koch Institute, Epidemiological Bulletin, 25/2020 https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/EpidBull/Archiv/2020/Ausgaben/25_20.pdf;jsessionid=F7621A42DA9A671A25F7F22372DB1887.internet092?__blob=publicationFile
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
*The contribution of “West Nile fever: is released, a new Virus in Germany now?” by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.