Multiple cases of West Nile fever reported in Kerala; know its symptoms
KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)
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Summary
An official of the district surveillance team said that the infected people, including children, in Kozhikode, are all fine and back at their homes.
At least five cases of West Nile fever have been confirmed in Kozhikode, north Kerala, health officials said. The infected people, including children, are all fine and back at their homes, an official of the district surveillance team said.
At least one individual, suspected of suffering from the vector-borne infection, is currently undergoing treatment, the official said.
Besides Kozhikode, West Nile fever cases have also been reported in Malappuram district of Kerala, reports said.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government on Tuesday said West Nile fever cases have been reported from Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts of the state.
State Health Minister Veena George confirmed that cases of the viral infection have been reported in the state and that all the districts have been asked to be vigilant.
There was no need to be concerned, but requested anyone showing signs of fever or other symptoms of the West Nile infection to seek treatment immediately, the minister said in a statement.
Samples of people, who showed symptoms of the disease and underwent treatment, were sent to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology as a routine exercise.
“The results came back now and indicated that they were suffering from West Nile fever. They are all better now,” PTI quoted the official as saying.
What is West Nile fever?
The West Nile Virus (WNV) was detected for the first time in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. The fever is spread by the Culex species of mosquitoes. In India, the fever was first detected back in 2011. A six-year-old boy from Kerala’s Malappuram had passed away due to the fever in 2019.
Later, a 47-year-old man died of the fever in Thrissur district in May 2022.
According to the state health department, the WNV can cause a fatal neurological disease in humans, however, most of the persons who are infected by it may not show any symptoms. It is mainly transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
WNV is majorly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Symptoms
Around 80% of people infected with West Nile Virus are asymptomatic and do not show any symptoms, while in several cases it can lead to West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease.
Some of the major symptoms seen among patients infected with West Nile fever include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands.
Besides this, some patients can even show severe symptoms including neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis, the WHO stated.
It is further estimated that one in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus may develop a more severe form of the disease.
In most of the cases, the incubation period is usually three to 14 days.
Who is at risk of contracting infection?
Anyone can acquire a WNV infection. However, persons who are at the highest risk for serious illness are persons over 50 years of age.
What is the mortality rate?
The death rate is relatively low compared to Japanese encephalitis which shows similar symptoms and is more dangerous. Those who get infected with the virus tend to develop lifelong immunity.
What are the preventive measures against the spread?
The minister said there was no need to be concerned, but requested anyone showing signs of fever or other symptoms of the infection to seek treatment immediately.
The statement said that instructions to begin pre-monsoon cleaning activities were already given in a high-level meeting held last week and now the District Medical Officers (DMOs) have been directed to further intensify the same.
There is no medicine or vaccine available against WNV. So only, symptomatic treatment and prevention are key, according to the health minister. As part of the preventive measures, she suggested wearing clothing that completely covers the body, use of mosquito nets and repellants and keeping one’s home and surroundings clean.
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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow