News Excerpt:

West Nile fever cases have been reported from Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts of Kerala. Reports suggest ten individuals have contracted the virus, with two suspected fatalities.

How is it caused? 

• West Nile fever stems from a virus transmitted through bites of infected Culex mosquitoes. In contrast to Japanese Encephalitis, which primarily affects children, West Nile fever predominantly impacts adults. 
• West Nile Virus (WNV) was first isolated from a woman in Uganda's West Nile district in 1937. It was detected in birds (crows and Columbiformes) in the Nile delta region in 1953, sporadic cases have been reported in Kerala since 2011, with the initial instances documented in Alappuzha district. 
• Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on birds carrying the virus in their bloodstream for a few days. The virus eventually reaches the mosquito's salivary glands. Subsequent mosquito bites may inject the virus into humans and animals, leading to potential illness.
• Transmission may also occur through contact with infected animals, their blood, or other tissues. To date, no instances of human-to-human WNV transmission through casual contact have been documented. 

Symptoms & Treatment: 

• Symptoms of West Nile fever encompass headache, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, and memory impairments. Although many infected individuals remain asymptomatic, severe cases can result in neurological complications and, rarely, fatalities. 
• With no specific vaccine or medication available, treatment mainly concentrates on symptom relief. Timely medical attention is essential for effective management and recovery.

Preventive Measures: 

• Preventing mosquito bites to date remains the most effective way to protect against the fever. Residents are encouraged to wear protective attire, utilize mosquito nets and repellents, and employ mosquito-deterring devices. 
• Eradicating stagnant water in containers and surroundings is critical to halt mosquito breeding. There is a need for community vigilance and collaboration in identifying stagnant water or potential mosquito breeding sites. 

Measures taken by authorities: 

• District Medical Officers have been instructed to ramp up pre-monsoon cleaning and mosquito control efforts. This includes destroying mosquito breeding grounds and heightened surveillance of mosquito populations. 
• The District Vector Control Units have intensified their efforts by collecting and testing mosquito samples from various locations. 
• Public awareness campaigns are also being strengthened to educate residents about the symptoms of West Nile fever and the importance of maintaining clean surroundings.