22.08.2024 15:02
The President of the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Prof. Dr. Serap Şimşek Yavuz, has warned that the West Nile virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, is more important for the community than monkeypox. Yavuz stated that the cases are concentrated in the Marmara region and pointed out that this virus can be fatal in the elderly due to the risk of brain involvement.
Dr. Serap Şimşek Yavuz, President of the Turkish Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Association (KLİMİK), warned against the virus outbreak caused by the "Culex" mosquito species, which leads to West Nile fever. Prof. Dr. Yavuz stated that cases of West Nile virus infection have been reported in the Marmara region, particularly in Bursa and Istanbul, and emphasized that this virus can be fatal in the elderly due to the risk of brain involvement.
Prof. Dr. Serap Şimşek Yavuz, President of KLİMİK, stated that cases related to the West Nile virus, which first emerged in Turkey in 2010 and caused an epidemic in 2019, have reappeared in areas with dam lakes and stagnant waters, especially in the Marmara region. Yavuz pointed out that the virus is transmitted to humans through Culex mosquitoes that come into contact with birds carrying the virus. Prof. Dr. Yavuz stated that the virus can cause meningitis by affecting the central nervous system, especially in the elderly, and that the reported cases are severe cases requiring hospitalization.
"EVERYWHERE SHOULD BE SPRAYED"
Prof. Dr. Yavuz said, "80% of people have mild symptoms. However, it can be severe and fatal in the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Local governments and relevant ministries should take more active measures in mosquito control, especially in provinces and districts along the migration routes of birds coming from Africa. This virus can rapidly reproduce in stagnant waters, which are also areas where Culex mosquitoes can rapidly multiply. Therefore, it is necessary to spray or dry all kinds of sources that can create water accumulation, including closed farms and summer houses, pools, barrels, and tire interiors. Personally, measures such as mosquito repellents or mosquito nets can be taken."
"CASES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE MARMARA REGION"
Prof. Dr. Yavuz said, "Actually, the thing we should take more seriously and make more efforts to protect ourselves from among the current infectious diseases in our country is West Nile fever. We are experiencing more trouble in the community than with measles. An important feature of this virus is that it generally progresses asymptomatically, but in some cases, it can cause a febrile illness in one group and affect the central nervous system, which we call the brain or spinal cord, in another group. These can be somewhat fatal. It is not a very predictable virus in terms of its peaks. There are more cases in certain periods. For example, you don't see it for years. Then suddenly, the number of cases increases. It had the largest outbreak in Turkey in 2010. It was mostly in the Aegean region. We hadn't seen such an increase since 2019. There is a significant increase in the number of cases now. Cases are mainly concentrated in the Marmara region. Including Istanbul and Bursa... We mostly see it in districts with lakes, dams, and stagnant water sources. In Istanbul, the European side is predominant. These are the most severe and rare cases we see in hospitals. Therefore, if you see 10 cases of the most severe form, there can be at least a thousand to one thousand five hundred mild cases."
FEVER, MALAISE, WEAKNESS.
Prof. Dr. Yavuz explained that West Nile fever does not pose a significant risk for children and adults, as 80% of people infected with the virus can pass the disease without any symptoms. Emphasizing the risk in the elderly, Prof. Dr. Yavuz provided the following information: "There is a death risk exceeding 10% in the elderly. 80% of people infected with the virus have no symptoms. In 20% of those who contract the virus, symptoms can appear. 90% of symptomatic cases have a febrile illness. There is fever, malaise, and weakness. When there is a febrile illness in the summer months, it already comes to mind. There can be muscle and joint pain, and in some cases, a rash. That is, there can be a rash, especially in the upper parts of the body. It is actually a disease that resolves on its own within a week to ten days. However, in about 1-2% of those who contract the virus, in about 10-20% of those who show symptoms, an infection affecting the brain or medulla spinalis, which we call the spinal cord, can develop. This is what we are afraid of."
"IT CAN EVEN CAUSE PARALYSIS IN SEVERE CASES"
Prof. Dr. Yavuz stated that when there is involvement of the central nervous system, it can cause meningitis, encephalitis, which affects the brain tissue, and even paralysis. "Headache, altered consciousness, personality changes, imbalance, slow movements, a picture similar to Parkinson's disease (because this is a virus that affects the areas affected by Parkinson's), and trembling in the hands can occur. These mosquitoes have been present in our country for a long time. It is transmitted through the Culex species. Mosquitoes also get this virus from birds. Both Turkey and Istanbul are on the migration routes of birds. There is a constant influx of birds. Bird influx means the influx of the virus as well. Mosquitoes can also transmit it to horses. As you may remember, in previous years, it infected horses in Karacabey and caused deaths. There is no risk of transmission among humans. It does not spread from person to person," he said.
"IF THE WEATHER DOES NOT GET HOT, IT ENDS AROUND SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER"
Prof. Dr. Yavuz, who stated that West Nile fever, which is usually a summer disease, does not occur every summer due to suitable climatic conditions, continued as follows: "The mosquito needs to be present for transmission. But specific climatic conditions are also required. In fact, we do not have a problem with West Nile fever every summer. Periods with heavy rainfall followed by very hot weather create ideal conditions. It usually occurs in July-August, peaks in August-September, and reaches its highest numbers. It is generally expected to end around September-October, depending on the weather. But this period can be extended as the weather gets warmer. There is currently an outbreak in Israel outside of our country. They reported very high numbers, they reported only 164 cases until June, and these are serious cases, that is, neuroinvasive cases affecting the brain."
"THERE IS NO VACCINE, SUPPORTIVE TREATMENTS CAN BE APPLIED"
Prof. Dr. Yavuz explained that there is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile fever, and they try to improve patients in the high-risk group who can have severe symptoms with supportive treatments. He said that PCR tests can be used to detect the virus or the body's antibodies against the virus can be examined. Prof. Dr.Dr. Yavuz said, "These tests are available in public health center laboratories. Culex mosquitoes usually do not bite during the day. It is a classic, as people in Turkey know very well, they come out at night and bite us at night. They are smaller and their bites do not have any distinguishing feature from a normal mosquito bite. There is no such thing as every mosquito bite will transmit a disease. Because not every mosquito carries it. So there is no need to panic here. We should prioritize rational mosquito control only."
"MINISTRY AND MUNICIPALITIES ARE WORKING"
Yavuz concluded his words as follows: "The important thing here is the joint work of all stakeholders. After all, you cannot prevent a bird migration. If I were to say for Istanbul, we actually had a meeting yesterday as the KLIMIK association. There were representatives from all stakeholders there as well. I was very happy to see that a very coordinated and good work is being done right now. Both the ministry and the district municipalities. The awareness of the incident is very high. I also want to warn about this, actually it was mentioned in yesterday's meeting, especially in farms and unused houses around Istanbul, there are some special areas that the municipality cannot enter. Pools, filled containers, tires, anything with water, any kind of water accumulation, even in the smallest containers you put water in, mosquitoes can breed" said.
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