Greek health authorities proved another 4 new cases of infection with the West Nile virus. There are already 20 people in the country with this syndrome.
Eight new cases of brain inflammation were recorded in northern Greece. Seven of the patients are from the city of Veria and the eighth is in Larissa. The tests of the eight people were sent for analysis to the microbiological laboratory of the Medical Faculty of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in order to determine whether the inflammation was caused by the West Nile virus. This is the only laboratory in Greece able to examine the West Nile virus. 16 cases of infection were identified in the country in the past days, three of which ended in death.
The West Nile virus was first discovered in Uganda in 1937 and the first case in the USA was registered in 1999. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, but it does not go from person to person. The syndrome’s symptoms are fever and headache, which very rarely, not more than 1 percent, may develop into brain inflammation and even meningitis. Greek epidemiologists, however, recommend to stay cool. According to them, many of those infected do not even realize that they were contaminated, the disease is in very light form in others and more severe syndrome may develop only in very elderly patients with health problems.
The increasing number of cases of West Nile virus infection again made the fight with mosquitoes the topic of the day. Workshops on the topic were held in the Imatia and Thessaloniki districts. Health authorities have recommended more intensive spraying and disinfestment of swamps, pools and septic tanks.
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