2023-08-04 17:50:58
Updated on 04/08/2023
Confirmation of the circulation of the West Nile virus (West-Nile virus) in Gironde (33)
The West Nile virus: its mode of transmission, symptoms for humans
The mode of transmission
West-Nile virus infection is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culex genus which become infected exclusively through contact with infected birds. Birds are the reservoirs of the virus. The Culex mosquito, also called the “common mosquito”, is an endemic species, distinct from the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. The spread is classic: the mosquito bites a bird carrying the virus, then a human being. The West Nile virus is not transmitted from human to human, nor from human to mosquito.
The monitoring device
The circulation of the West Nile virus is currently monitored in France by a triple system: human, equine, avian.
Symptoms
In 80% of cases, human West Nile virus infection is said to be “asymptomatic”, that is to say that the patient does not show any symptoms. In some cases, it is manifested by a flu-like syndrome (fever, pain, headache), sometimes accompanied by a rash. Anyone with these symptoms should seek medical attention.
How to protect yourself?
Culex mosquitoes mainly bite at sunset and at night, outdoors and in homes.
The most effective preventive measures to guard against mosquito bites are:
• wear covering and loose clothing;
• use a skin repellent in the evening, recommended by your pharmacist, on exposed areas of skin;
• if necessary, use mosquito nets on the openings (doors and windows);
• sleep under mosquito nets, which can also be impregnated with fabric insecticide. There are crib nets for newborns;
• use fans and possibly air conditioners which interfere with mosquitoes;
• use electric diffusers inside homes;
• use insecticide coils only outdoors;
To limit the development of mosquitoes around your home, you should:
• cover water supplies with mosquito nets or fabric to make them airtight;
• clean gutters and gutters;
• empty or put away any container that may contain water (tip: fill the cups with sand);
• avoid illegal dumping of waste.
ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Public Health France would like to remind you that the best prevention against the disease lies in protection against mosquito bites and the elimination of breeding sites near dwellings, which make it possible to limit all the infections they cause. are likely to transmit.
More information on the West Nile virus:
Website of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health: http://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/soins-et- Maladies/ Maladies/ Maladies-infectieuses/article/fievre-du-nil-occidental-ou-infection-par- the-west-nile-virus
Public Health France website: https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/ Maladies-et-traumatismes/ Maladies-a-transmission-vectorielle/west-nile-virus
European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website: https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc
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