West Nile virus also in Brabant: horse and mosquitoes infected A horse in Brabant has been found to be infected with the West Nile virus in early August at the latest. The virus was also found in mosquitoes in the province. This is confirmed by the RIVM after it became known on Wednesday that a pers…
West Nile virus also in Brabant: horse and mosquitoes infected
A horse in Brabant has been found to be infected with the West Nile virus in early August at the latest. The virus was also found in mosquitoes in the province. This is confirmed by the RIVM after it became known on Wednesday that a person in Utrecht had died from the virus. That person contracted the virus in the Netherlands.
It is the second time in a short period of time that someone has contracted the West Nile virus in the Netherlands. Last Monday, it became known that a blood donor from the province of Utrecht was infected. The deceased is not the same person, says the RIVM spokesperson. People cannot spread the virus further.
The RIVM then announced that the West Nile virus was also found this year in North Brabant and South Holland, among other things in horses, mosquitoes and birds. It may be that the virus occurs at more places in the Netherlands, says the RIVM to the NOS.
In total, there are five infected horses in our country, says the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), most of which were found in South Holland. The horses had symptoms such as muscle tremors and fever. A horse was euthanized due to the severity of the symptoms, reports the Health Service for Animals.
What is the West Nile virus?
The West Nile virus occurs mainly in birds. It can end up in the common house mosquito when it feeds on the blood of an infected bird. The mosquito can then transmit it to humans and other animals.
The RIVM says that the risk of contracting the West Nile virus in the Netherlands remains small, just like the risk of becoming ill from it.
The vast majority of people (80 percent) do not get symptoms. About 19 percent get flu-like symptoms and 1 percent get neurological symptoms. Especially vulnerable people are at risk.
Fatalities
The person who died in the province of Utrecht due to the West Nile virus died in the hospital. It concerns someone over 80 years old with underlying illnesses.
This year, the virus has been found in three people who contracted the virus in the Netherlands. One of them is still in the hospital. This is also an 'older, vulnerable person', according to the spokesperson.
In mid-August, a woman from Drenthe died from the virus. She contracted it during a holiday in Southeastern Europe, reported the GGD last week.
