West Nile Virus Outbreak in Spain Spurs Urgent Response
The recent death of an 86-year-old woman in Seville, Spain, has highlighted a concerning outbreak of West Nile virus in Europe. The woman, who had been in good health until she was bitten by a mosquito this summer, initially experienced general malaise. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to severe headaches, vomiting, delirium, and difficulty walking. Despite being admitted to Virgen del Rocío hospital, she passed away a few days later. The cause of her illness was later identified as West Nile virus.
Although the West Nile virus was first identified in Uganda in 1937, it has increasingly affected regions around the world, with a rising number of cases each year. In the majority of cases, the virus presents with mild symptoms akin to a common cold. However, about 1% of cases can result in severe illness or death, even among individuals without pre-existing health conditions.
Jordi Figuerola, a researcher at Spain’s national research council, CSIC, notes that there are occasional severe cases among young, otherwise healthy individuals, but the reasons for this remain unclear.
The virus has been reported in 16 European countries, with Italy having the highest number of infections, totaling 331 cases and 13 deaths. Greece follows with a high fatality rate, recording 25 deaths out of 162 cases. Spain ranks third in Europe for West Nile virus cases, with 71 confirmed infections and seven deaths, including the most recent fatality in Mairena del Aljarafe, Seville.
The outbreak has notably impacted southern Spain, particularly in the Seville province, where the virus is most concentrated. In towns like La Puebla del Río, residents have reported a noticeable drop in outdoor activity at dusk, as mosquitoes become a significant concern.
The presence of the virus has transformed mosquitoes from a mere summer nuisance into a serious public health threat. “It has conditioned our daily lives, with closed houses and screens on the windows,” said Juan José Sánchez Silva, spokesperson for Spain’s anti-West Nile virus platform.
Recent weeks have seen local demonstrations demanding quicker identification and response measures to combat the virus. There is also a push for the development of a vaccine. In Barcelona, scientists are working on this front. Biologist Jorge Carrillo leads the LWNVIVAT West Nile immunology project at the IrsiCaixa research foundation, which has received over €5 million in funding from the European Union.
Currently, the vaccine research is in its early stages, with Carrillo estimating that it could take between three to eight years before any results are realized. As the virus continues to spread, the urgency for effective prevention and treatment measures remains high.
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