Fourth Dutch case of West Nile fever this year confirmed

A woman from Amstelveen, aged 39, has been diagnosed with meningitis caused by the West Nile virus, marking the fourth case of this rare form of meningitis in the Netherlands this year, according to the local health board. This marks the first instance of a West Nile virus infection in the Netherlands resulting in meningitis. The virus is typically transmitted by mosquitoes, but previously, it was only contracted by individuals who had traveled abroad.

The Dutch public health agency, RIVM, reported that this year's cluster of cases involving humans, horses, and birds indicates the disease is now established within the Netherlands. Last week, the RIVM confirmed a man's death in Utrecht from West Nile fever after being locally infected. Another woman in Drenthe also died from the same illness, but she contracted the virus while traveling abroad.

The RIVM will publish an update on current cases later this week, emphasizing that the risk of serious illness or death is extremely low. According to the agency, 80% of those infected do not experience any symptoms, while 19% suffer from mild symptoms such as fever, headache, stomach ache, diarrhea, occasional skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.