Number of West Nile infection cases, deaths doubled in one week in Romania: official

Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-31 04:57:51|Editor: yan
Video PlayerClose

BUCHAREST, Aug.30 (Xinhua) -- A number of 117 cases of infection with the West Nile virus and 12 deaths were recorded in Romania so far this year, according to the latest data announced Thursday by the Health Ministry.

All the deaths occurred in patients with co-morbidity, and capital city of Bucharest has the largest number of deaths, a total of five people, while the remaining seven people were from other six localities, according to the release.

A week ago, the infection and death tolls were 56 and 6, respectively.

Compared to 2017, the onset of illness occurred three weeks earlier this year, and local specialists appreciated that it is not an epidemic.

The vectors involved in transmitting West Nile virus in the country are several mosquito species spread in both urban and rural areas, said the official document.

The excessively rainy period in this summer made it difficult to wipe out mosquitoes, favoring the increase of the vectors, according to related authorities.

The West Nile virus infection is not transmitted from person to person, but only through mosquito bites. It begins with a fever, high temperature, nausea and vomiting, which are the symptoms of an ordinary virus infection. However, the symptoms turn very fast into encephalitis and meningitis, and the infected need urgent hospitalization.

About 80 percent of the infected people have no symptoms, and experts recommend that those who have fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting or skin rash, must rush to the nearest clinic.

The Romanians are advised to avoid exposure to mosquitoes, to wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants and to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the house.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011105521374318671