Personal Health

First West Nile Virus infection in Germany

In Germany, it was discovered in a human, the West Nile Virus. The Virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. The Patient from Saxony was suffering from a brain inflammation and is a treatment in a Leipzig hospital, in the meantime, back to health, such as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and two further science Institute said on Friday.

“The risk of further cases increases, as the number of mosquitoes in the autumn,” said RKI President Lothar Wieler. In the coming summers must be expected in Germany, however, the further West Nile Virus infections. “Fortunately, the majority of the cases are mild,” added Wieler.

Infections in humans extend to around 80 percent without symptoms, when rest of the fifth, usually with mild symptoms such as fever or skin rash. Only less than one percent of all the victims – usually in older people with pre-existing conditions – an inflammation of the brain or, less frequently, inflammation of the brain, called encephalitis, can be fatal. skin

Vaccines or specific treatments for people, there is not yet. Infections the only mosquito repellent to prevent.

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