Prevent infection: West Nile fever: Consistent mosquito protection is important

West Nile fever, once a tropical concern, is now a growing worry in Germany, according to the CRM Center for Travel Medicine. The virus is mainly transmitted through Culex mosquitoes, which are also prevalent in Germany. While most infected individuals show no symptoms or experience mild ones, about one in five may develop symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, or rash.

In rare cases, approximately one in a hundred infected people experience severe complications like meningitis or encephalitis, particularly among the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. If you develop fever, rash, or neurological symptoms after a mosquito bite, especially from affected areas, seek medical attention. If an acute infection is confirmed through a blood test, reporting is mandatory.

Treatment, however, is limited to symptom management. No specific antiviral therapy or licensed vaccine exists for humans, as stated by the CRM. The most effective way to protect against the virus is to strictly adhere to mosquito prevention measures. This includes wearing long, light clothing, applying insect repellent, using insect screens or mosquito nets, and staying indoors during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Standing water serves as an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, so remove it from your surroundings whenever possible. The Hamburg Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine advises those with an acute infection to avoid mosquito bites to prevent further virus spread. Since the start of the season, several West Nile virus infections have been reported in seven European countries, with Italy accounting for nearly 100 cases. Germany has also seen a recent case in Rhineland-Palatinate.