The West Nile virus emerged in Turkey late August, after six patients at the Manisa State Hospital complaining of fever, altered states of consciousness and skin eruptions, died. Health Minister Recep Akdağ recently said that there was no evidence that the deaths were caused by the West Nile virus. The virus mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats and squirrels. The main route of human infection is through a bite from an infected mosquito.
The virus’ symptoms include high fever, headaches, chills, excessive sweating, weakness, drowsiness and pain in the joints. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with HIV/AIDS are most susceptible to serious complications if infected by the virus.
Ertek also added that the virus did not have a vaccine. “A successful fight against mosquitoes is the most effective method of fighting the disease,” he suggested. He also said, with autumn and winter approaching, there would be a considerable decline in the number of West Nile virus cases. The West Nile Virus was under the public spotlight in 2001 and 2002 when there was an outbreak in the US. Eight people in Greece died in August, and authorities there reported nearly 100 incidents of West Nile virus infection.
