Precautions should be taken against the virus outbreak transmitted by mosquitoes

Dr. Firdevs Aksoy, a faculty member at the Farabi Hospital of Karadeniz Technical University (KTU), TRABZON, said regarding the virus outbreak transmitted by mosquitoes and causing West Nile fever, “The most important way to protect yourself from mosquito bites is to take the necessary precautions. Mosquito breeding areas should be destroyed.”

Dr. Lecturer Firdevs Aksoy from the Infectious Diseases Clinic of KTÜ Farabi Hospital issued warnings and recommendations against the virus outbreak that is transmitted by ‘Culex’ type mosquitoes and causes West Nile fever, which has been seen in Turkey since 2010. Reminding that ‘West Nile Virus’ was first identified in Uganda in 1937, Aksoy said, “The disease is mostly seen in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and Western Asia. Case reports have been made from our country since 2010. Increases in the number of cases have been reported in Europe and neighboring countries in 2018. The same year, an outbreak was seen in Italy and Greece, there were deaths, and 26 cases were reported in Turkey. It was seen in Israel, Brazil and Greece in 2024. Case reports have also been made from our country this year.”

‘FIRST SYMPTOMS ARE FEVER, WEAKNESS’

Aksoy, who said that the virus can only be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, said that symptoms of the disease can appear within 3-14 days after mosquito contact. Aksoy said, “It can rarely be transmitted through blood transfusion and organ transplantation. It is also known to pass from mother to baby during birth or breastfeeding. Symptoms of the disease can appear within 3-14 days after mosquito contact. The first symptoms may be fever, weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Rashes may be on the patient’s body, arms and legs. They are in the form of small redness. Sometimes, the nervous system is affected in patients and serious conditions such as meningitis may develop as a result of inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Sleepiness, coma and, rarely, death may occur.”

WARNING FOR THOSE OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE

Aksoy, who recommended that individuals over the age of 60 and those with chronic diseases take extra precautions, said, “It is vital that people in this group take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. If there is a suspicion of the disease; a blood test and spinal fluid test are performed according to the clinical signs and symptoms. A definitive diagnosis of the disease can be made according to the laboratory results. Since there is no drug that directly affects BNEV, supportive treatment is given for complaints. Most people recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can continue for a long time, for weeks or months.”

‘FLY SCREENING SHOULD BE INSTALLED ON THE DOORS’

Noting that there is no vaccine in use against the disease yet, Aksoy said: “As with every disease, the most important point here is to take the necessary precautions to avoid catching the disease. The most important way of protection is to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Mosquito breeding areas should be eliminated. During the hours when mosquitoes are active, one should not stay in open areas for long, if one does, one should wear long-sleeved and closed clothes, mosquito nets should be put on windows and doors, and open puddles and septic tanks should be closed. Mosquito nets can be used during periods when there are many flies. Air circulation can be created in closed spaces with devices such as fans and air conditioners. As always, in order not to get caught up in fear and panic about the disease and experience confusion, it is important to take into consideration and implement what the competent people and institutions say on the subject.”