WEST NILE VIRUS (28): SPAIN: (EXTREMADURA) FATAL
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 9 Oct 2023 21:18 CET
Source: La Nueva España [in Spanish, trans. Mod.TY, edited]
https://www.lne.es/sociedad/2023/10/09/virus-nilo-extremadura-caso-confirmado-93150820.html
A 77-year-old man died this Sunday [8 Oct 2023] at the Don
Benito-Villanueva de la Serena Hospital (Badajoz) with symptoms
compatible with the West Nile virus (WNV). The Extremadura Health
Service (SES) has indicated that this is a “probable case” of this
infection, awaiting definitive confirmation by the National Center for
Microbiology (CNMI)-Majadahonda (Madrid). If confirmed, it would be
the 1st fatal case recorded by this virus in Extremadura.
This deceased is joined by 2 other cases related to that infection. A
56-year-old woman is admitted to the ICU of the University Hospital of
Badajoz, confirmed as infected by the WNV, and there is another
73-year-old woman admitted to the ICU of the San Pedro de Alcántara
Hospital in Cáceres with symptoms compatible with WNV infection. This
case, like that of the deceased person, is under study, classified as
“probable” pending the results sent to the National Center for
Microbiology, as confirmed by the SES.
After becoming aware of these cases and, regardless of whether it is
confirmed or probable, the SES has activated the current protocol in
the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE) and its
adaptation to the Epidemiological Surveillance Network of Extremadura,
reports Efe.
This implies the implementation of all established measures, including
communication to the blood bank, as specified by SES [concern about
virus transmission through blood transfusions. – Mod.TY].
At the same time, action is taken following the Extremadura Vector
Preparedness and Response Plan, which includes actions for their
prevention and control at different levels, areas of action and
expertise, including entomological and epidemiological actions, public
information and prevention.
WNV is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly of the Culex genus,
and the main reservoirs of the virus are wild birds, which [by
themselves] do not infect other animals or people.