Four Nile fever cases in Kosovo

Thus the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo announced, where it informed of the countries where cases have been encountered.

A total of 4 lab cases confirmed with Western Nile fever have been reported in Kosovo during 2024:

The first imported case has been confirmed by the date 07.08.2024 to a resident of the Kosovo Fusha municipality. The second case is autokton, confirmed by the 09.08.2024, to a resident of the Great White Town of Kosovo. The third case is also autochton, confirmed by the date 30.08.2024, to a Prizren resident. The fourth case is an imported case, confirmed by the date 05.09,2024, to a Fsh resident. The Old Rufc of Lipjan municipality”, said in the statement.

All cases have been handled at the Infectious Clinic, and after improved health, they have been released home.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquito bites in birds. Humans and mammals can also become infected, although about 80 percent of human infections have no symptoms. Most human cases appear between July and September when mosquitoes are active.

Some 20 percent of the WNV infections in people can cause the fever of the Western Nile (West Nile Fever FʹWF), characterized by headaches, fever, mulgia, vomiting, rashing, fatigue, eye pain. Less than one percent can cause Western Nile neuroinvasive disease that affects the nervous system.

Risk factors include delayed age, brain tumors, high blood pressure, blood disorders, diabetes, kidney disease, alcohol abuse, genetic factors. The mortality rate among people developing Western Nile neuroinvasive diseases may be up to 17 percent.

How Western Nile Fevers Spread: WNV usually spreads to people from infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are infected by infected birds. Mosquitoes spread the virus, and birds help the virus increase in number. The virus can also spread among people through blood transfusions and organ transplantation. Other ways the virus can spread are from mother to child during pregnancy and breast - feeding and through laboratory exposure.

“Vaxing and treatment: There's no specific treatment for the virus, just supporting healthcare.

Risk assessment: There is an average risk to the population in the spring-to-day period, but it can be minimized by adhering to recommendations for prevention that convey competent institutions”, it is said further in the IKSHPK report.

Prevention:

- Foreplay the breeding of mosquitoes in your environment.

- Put nets on the doors of your houses and dwellings.

-Keep contact with bare hands when treating dead birds or animals.

- If you drop dead birds, use gloves and double plastic bags

Keep the pools clean, the decorating pools, the fountains!

- Don't build ponds in your backyard.

- Use scented candles, coils, like protective respelens while standing outside and in the wild.

-Shand the exit and stay out at dawn or dusk, when the mosquitoes are more active!

- Put on appropriate clothing, possibly bright colors, that will cover your body/your skin as much as possible (long legs, long pants, socks, hats...)

- Apply cream, sticker, skin spray, and clothing protection devices that expel mosquitoes!

If you show symptoms of the disease, they should immediately seek medical help and inform the doctor of staying in areas where mosquito - borne diseases exist.