West Nile Virus: Symptoms, Transmission, and How to Protect Yourself

"West Nile Virus: Symptoms, Transmission, and How to Protect Yourself"

For the first time, British residents are facing the viral drama that usually takes place only in the tropics. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the WNV has never before been found in mosquitoes in the country. This new finding from mosquitoes in the River Idle wetlands last July supports the belief that climate change influences how infectious diseases spread.

The Intruder: West Nile Virus

Most human infections with West Nile virus happen when Culex mosquitoes carrying the virus bite somebody. Though most people with West Nile infection are not ill, around 20% develop West Nile fever, bring flu-like symptoms. Sometimes, less than 1 in 150 people, despite vaccination, may develop the more serious disease of neuroinvasive meningitis or encephalitis that can cause death. This virus exists in nature by being spread between mosquitoes and birds. Since mosquitoes are the main carriers, only infections happen if they bite birds that have the virus. We do not have evidence that WNV can be spread by casual, daily contact with others.

 A Climate-Driven Expansion

The UK is not the only place reporting WNV; many areas that were previously thought of as safe now deal with increasing numbers of these types of diseases. Experts argue that this possesses the land and natural behavior of mosquitoes. Warmer climate and rainfall mean that both Aedes albopictus and Culex modestus can reproduce and each can transmit WNV and other lethal diseases such as dengue and Zika. Since Culex modestus was recorded in the UK in 2010, there has been growing concern about local cases of West Nile virus. So far, these mosquitoes are not very common in the UK, but having them at the Thames estuary suggests there could be more soon. According to research, if climate conditions continue as they are, mosquitoes could be found in large numbers across much of England and south Wales within the next 50 years.

Surveillance and Preparedness

Since no human infections have been reported, the UKHSA has ramped up its monitoring. Doctors in healthcare are encouraged to look at WNV when a patient shows symptoms of encephalitis but its exact cause is unknown. Besides, the UKHSA is aiming to reduce the risk by strengthening control over vectors and spreading important public health messages.

 

Whenever WNV turns up in mosquitoes in the UK, it shows that better tracking and responsive plans are needed due to climate change. Because these patterns are in a state of change, we need to keep updating our systems for dealing with diseases. It clearly shows us that changing conditions in our world can cause diseases to be transmitted in unexpected ways.