DistantNews
Support us
West Nile Virus: Symptoms You Should Not Ignore, Greek Professor Says
🇬🇷 Greece /Health & Science

West Nile Virus: Symptoms You Should Not Ignore, Greek Professor Says

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Greek health professor reassured the public about West Nile virus infections, stating most cases are asymptomatic.
  • He noted that about one in 150 infected individuals may develop severe neurological illness requiring hospitalization.
  • Protection measures are crucial in areas with high virus activity, as there is no specific treatment for the virus.

West Nile virus infections are largely asymptomatic, with the vast majority of people infected showing no symptoms or experiencing a mild illness, according to Gikas Majorkinis, a professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

the overwhelming majority of people who are infected do not show symptoms or experience the infection without realizing it.

— Gikas MajorkinisProfessor of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, reassuring the public about West Nile virus infections.

However, Majorkinis cautioned that in a small percentage of cases, the virus can affect the central nervous system, leading to more severe illness. This occurs in approximately one in 150 infected individuals and can necessitate immediate hospitalization, especially if symptoms like high fever, severe headache, lethargy, photophobia, seizures, or paralysis appear.

In severe cases, immediate hospitalization may be necessary, especially when high fever, severe headache, lethargy, photophobia, seizures, or paralysis appear.

— Gikas MajorkinisDescribing the symptoms that indicate a potentially serious West Nile virus infection.

The incubation period from a mosquito bite to symptom onset can be up to two weeks. There are no specific skin markers to indicate a mosquito is infected; the reaction to a bite is primarily due to the insect's saliva. Currently, there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, with management being supportive and tailored to each patient's condition and symptom severity.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus. Management is supportive and adapted to the condition and severity of symptoms of each patient.

— Gikas MajorkinisExplaining the approach to treating West Nile virus infections.

Majorkinis also highlighted the importance of geographical distribution, as mosquitoes do not travel long distances. Consequently, areas with increased virus activity require greater attention and enhanced protective measures against mosquito bites. He stressed that in regions where the virus is highly active, people need to be more vigilant and take stronger precautions to avoid bites.

in areas where increased virus activity is recorded, greater attention and enhanced protection measures against mosquito bites are required.

— Gikas MajorkinisEmphasizing the need for vigilance in specific geographical locations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog