Two cases of West Nile (WNV) virus infection in two men aged 39 and 54 years were reported in the Republic of Moldova. The National Public Health Agency said that both of the cases are imported ones, IPN reports.
The first man is from Chisinau and between August 14 and September 6 he was in Romania. There he was supposedly bitten for several times by mosquitoes. The second patient, who is from Tiraspol, on September 5 returned from the Czech Republic, where he was also bitten by mosquitoes. The signs of illness appeared on his return to Moldova.
In 2019, two cases of WNV infection were registered in the Republic of Moldova. One more case was reported in August this year.
Since the beginning of this year and until September 5, 15 countries in Europe have reported human cases of West Nile virus infection. In Romania, between June 3 and September 5, around 40 cases of West Nile virus infection were registered. Four infected people died.
Public health specialists specify that the West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, not from human to human. The likelihood of someone getting sick from a single sting is low. Usually, the virus manifests itself through flu-like symptoms: fatigue, muscle weakness, fever and severe headache, rashes on the chest. Most human cases are asymptomatic or mild and resolve on their own.
Elderly people and immunocompromised people are at higher risk of developing severe forms of the disease, including neurological forms, such as stiffness of the neck muscles, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, seizures. When signs specific to this infection appear, people are urged to contact the doctor.
