8 Die from West Nile Virus in Greece, Bulgaria in the Clear

Health | August 20, 2010, Friday // 16:34|  views

The Bulgarian Health Ministry has announced that there are no deadly mosquitoes in the country. Photo by science.howstuffworks.com

Eight people have died in Greece as a result of infection with the West Nile virus, carried out by mosquitoes, the Greek ANA-MPA news agency has reported.

On Friday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) announced that the number of infected people reached 92, 15 of which were diagnosed on Thursday.

The West Nile virus begins with a fever, high temperature, nausea and vomiting, which are the symptoms of an ordinary virus infection.

However, the symptoms turn very fast into encephalitis and meningitis and the infected need urgent hospitalization.

The head of KEELPNO has warned that the peak of the infections with the deadly virus will continue until the end of September. By then, between 5 and 10 new cases are expected to be diagnosed every day, he said.

The Greek Health Ministry has announced it is increasing the efforts in the fight against the mosquitoes, carriers of the West Nile virus.

The virus has spread in the regions from the cities of Larisa to Thessaloniki, nearby lakes and rivers.

The Greek Health Ministry has ordered a more intense spraying of insecticides with a focus on the areas where the virus has reached its highest levels.

A campaign for public awareness will also be started, officials from the Greek Health Ministry have stated.

The Bulgarian Health Ministry has stated that they have not detected any deadly mosquitoes and have not registered any cases of the West Nile virus in the country.


Tags: mosquito, West Nile virus, greece, Health Ministry, virus

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