An outbreak of West Nile fever has been recorded in Greece, the Russian Foreign Ministry's crisis center reports.
Two people have died from West Nile fever in the Attica region, and another 12 local residents have been hospitalized.
Since the beginning of the summer season in the country 55 cases of the disease were recorded.
Reference: West Nile Fever — an acute transmissible viral disease characterized by fever, serous inflammation of the meninges, systemic damage to the mucous membranes, lymphadenopathy and, less commonly, rash.
The West Nile fever virus was first isolated from the blood of an infected person in Uganda in 1937. Subsequently, indications emerged of the disease's widespread distribution in Africa and Asia. It is most common in Mediterranean countries.
The causative agent of West Nile fever, a flavivirus of group B of the togavirus family, dies at temperatures above 56°C for 30 minutes.
The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, ixodid ticks, and argasid ticks, while birds and rodents serve as reservoirs of infection. West Nile fever has a distinct seasonal pattern—late summer and fall. Young people are more likely to become infected. The risk of infection is higher for people over 50.
The incubation period ranges from a few days to 2-3 weeks. The disease begins acutely with a rapid rise in body temperature to 38-40°C, accompanied by chills. The febrile period lasts on average 5-7 days, although it can be very short—1-2 days. The disease is characterized by pronounced symptoms of general intoxication: severe, excruciating headache, predominantly localized in the forehead and eye sockets, eye pain, and muscle aches.
The neuroinfectious form of the disease can cause cerebral edema and swelling, as well as cerebrovascular accidents. Meningoencephalitis can lead to paresis and paralysis, and severe cases can be fatal in rare cases.
Source: trn-news.ru