First West Nile Virus Case Confirmed in Iași, Romania; Two More Investigated

Iași, Romania, has reported its first confirmed case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection for the summer season. The affected individual is a 22-year-old woman from Vaslui county who sought medical attention at the "Sfânta Parascheva" Infectious Diseases Hospital in Iași presenting with severe neurological symptoms.

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Symptoms began on the day she presented to the medical unit. She was evaluated imagistically without pathological changes being observed. Following investigations carried out within our clinic, the diagnosis with West Nile virus was confirmed.

Dr. Florin Roșu, the hospital's manager, stated that three individuals were investigated in July for suspected WNV infection, but only this case has been confirmed so far. The young patient initially experienced severe headaches, speech impairment, dizziness, and blurred vision. Although imaging studies showed no pathological changes, subsequent investigations at the infectious diseases hospital confirmed the WNV diagnosis.

Intriguingly, the patient reported no recent travel to rural areas and could not recall any specific mosquito bites, raising questions about the circumstances of her exposure. She has received symptomatic treatment and is currently in a stable condition. The hospital is also investigating two other patients for potential WNV infection: a 50-year-old man from Iași whose test results are pending, and a 70-year-old patient.

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From the anamnesis, it emerged that the patient had not traveled recently to rural areas and did not recall having obvious mosquito bites, which obviously raises questions about the circumstances of exposure.

Health officials are warning that the West Nile virus remains active in Romania, with the warm season facilitating its transmission through infected mosquitoes. Dr. Roșu stressed the importance of ongoing epidemiological surveillance, prompt diagnosis, and continued preventive measures, particularly during the peak mosquito activity months from May to November. Recommendations include using mosquito repellents, wearing protective clothing during dawn and dusk, and seeking medical advice if symptoms like fever, severe headache, or visual disturbances appear.

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The cases identified within our clinic confirm that West Nile virus infection is an active reality both in our country, but especially in our region. In this context, active epidemiological surveillance, prompt diagnosis of suspected cases, as well as maintaining prevention measures at individual and community level during the warm season, in the months of May-November, when mosquito activity is maximal, remain essential.