KOZHIKODE: Ten people have been confirmed with West Nile fever in two districts of the state. The disease was confirmed in Kozhikode and Malappuram. Four of them are from Kozhikode. Reports that came in said two people have died in a private hospital. However, it has not been officially confirmed that their death was due to this disease as they were undergoing follow-up treatment after kidney transplant. One seriously ill is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode.

The blood and spinal fluid of those who showed symptoms were tested at the Research and Diagnostic Laboratory of the Microbiology Department of the Medical College and it was found to be West Nile Fever. It will be sent to the virology lab in Pune for further confirmation.

What is West Nile Fever?
The disease got its name because it was discovered in 1937 in the West Nile region of Uganda, Africa. So far, the disease has been reported in about twelve countries. The virus is transmitted from birds to humans by mosquitoes. They reach the human body through Culex mosquitoes. The disease can be passed from mother to baby through breast milk and through blood and organ donation and from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. However, it is not directly transmitted from human to human. There is no vaccine available for West Nile fever.

Symptoms of West Nile fever include eye pain, fever, body aches, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy skin. Most of the affected people have mild symptoms. Symptoms appear in about 20 percent of people. Figures also indicate that one percent of reported cases are affected by brain inflammation and meningitis. Symptoms begin to appear two to six days after being infected with the virus. Cases have also been reported where symptoms do not appear for up to fourteen days.

Risk

People of any age can get the virus. However, people over 60 years of age and those with diseases like diabetes, cancer, blood pressure and kidney diseases are also more likely to be infected with the virus. The disease can worsen in people with severe symptoms such as brain inflammation and meningitis. This can even lead to death. However, the mortality rate of West Nile fever is very low according to the data so far.

If down with fever

Symptomatic treatment is available. The disease will be completely cured in two to three weeks. However, it may take months for the body to recover from the illness.

What to do for defense

Mosquito extermination

Take measures to avoid mosquito bites

Keep premises clean

Seek treatment as soon as symptoms appear