The fatal case was spotted at Serres Regional Unit and it is expected to be announced by the weekly report of epidemiological surveillance of the infection of the National Public Health Organization (EODY), where it will be seen if there was another in the same period in Greece.
It’s about 75 year old man with underlying diseases, from the city of Serres, and this was the first case in the Regional Unit of Serres, in which last year the first case was recorded nationwide, as broadcast by ERT.
According to Serres Public Prosecutor Anastasios Anastasiadis, vulnerable groups are at greater risk while, as he points out, the West Nile virus is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, which are infected by infected birds.
People who are infected do not spread the virus further. The majority of people infected with the virus do not get sick at all or only have mild disease, while a few people develop severe disease that affects the nervous system (mainly encephalitis or meningitis). Older people (over 50 years) are more at risk of becoming seriously ill, as well as immunosuppressed people and chronic underlying diseases.
How mosquitoes become infected and transmit West Nile virus
West Nile virus is mainly transmitted by the bite of infected “common” mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are infected by infected birds (certain species mainly wild birds). Infected people do not further transmit the virus to other mosquitoes or to other people (by direct contact).
The majority of people who become infected with the virus do not get sick at all or have only mild disease, while very few people (
As the epidemiology of the virus is complex and determined by many factors, the areas of virus circulation and outbreaks cannot be predicted with certainty.
Therefore, the EODY recommends that you observe the individual protection measures against mosquitoes, throughout the territory, throughout the mosquito circulation period:
– Use approved body and environmental insect repellents (according to the instructions for use), screens, mosquito nets, air conditioners/fans, suitable (long) clothing.
– Do not leave stagnant water anywhere (thereby effectively helping to limit mosquito breeding grounds in private areas).
– Older people, people with immunosuppression and people with chronic underlying diseases must observe these measures with particular consistency, as they are more at risk of becoming seriously ill.
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