Dangerous tropical fever by bush mosquitoes

West Nile fever: Tropical fever by bush mosquitoes in Greece. Travelers should especially protect themselves from mosquitoes, as these are considered transmitters.

(12.08.2010) West Nile fever, which is mainly spread in the tropics and subtropics, has also been observed in parts of the USA, Canada and, occasionally, in Europe. At present, a veritable West Nile fever wave has occurred in Thessaloniki (Greece) at which, according to the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM) already 22 people fell ill. The disease is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, so that the various trade journal calls Greece travelers to protect themselves accordingly, to prevent infection. Vaccines for preventive treatment for West Nile fever do not yet exist.

Worrying is according to the experts the „conspicuous accumulation“ of cases in Thessaloniki, according to the scientific director of CRM, Tomas Jelinek. Only consistent mosquito repellent, preferably with light long-sleeved clothing and repellents (insect repellent) with the active ingredient dieythyl-m-toluamide (DEET) on uncovered body parts offer effective remedy here. Especially after dusk, travelers are encouraged to protect themselves accordingly. With open windows, a mosquito net with a hole size of no more than 1.5 millimeters should be used. However, if someone has been stung by an infected mosquito, it will take three to six days for symptoms of West Nile fever to appear. Fever, muscle pain and swelling of the lymph nodes are usually the first noticeable signs of a disease.

In about 30 percent of patients skin rashes on the chest, back and arms and some also suffer from brain or meningitis (meningitis). Of those affected in Thessaloniki, all 22 were hospitalized with brain or meningitis, with three older patients not surviving the disease. Actually kick „(...) severe complaints only on every 500th patient ", says the expert Jelinek, but especially for older people, the West Nile fever represents a considerable risk.

The risk of infection by exotic mosquitoes has risen considerably in Europe in recent years. While they hardly differ externally from their native counterparts, dangerous viruses can lurk inside, says Pie Müller, mosquito specialist at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. Müller investigates the occurrence of exotic mosquitoes in Switzerland on behalf of his institute and has found that z. For example, the Asian bush mosquito is now also widespread in Switzerland. It may also be the carrier of the above-described West Nile fever.

Which and how many exotic species of mosquitoes are already frolicking in our broad grades, can be difficult to determine, according to the expert. All that is certain is that they are here. So z. In northern Italy, for example, several people were infected with the Chikungunya fever by the Asian tiger mosquito, which resulted in more than 200 people becoming ill. In the tropics, the tiger mosquito is known as a carrier of numerous diseases such. As yellow fever, the dengue or Chikungunya virus. In the meantime, however, she has not only settled in northern Italy, where every year she tries to get a grip on the problem with massive helicopter spraying missions, but was also spotted by mosquito researchers in 2007 in the German Upper Rhine plain.

As an effective basis of control and to be able to better assess the risk potential, the experts call for a general monitoring of the mosquito spread. Because not only the tiger mosquito carries dangerous pathogens in itself. So z. For example, employees of the German Bernhard Nocht Institute in Baden-Württemberg have detected three types of mosquitoes which carry the Sindbis virus (also known as the rheumatism virus), which can have similarly serious consequences for the patients as the West Nile. fever.

Migratory birds are also seen as a source of danger as potential carriers of West Nile fever can be stung by a mosquito, which then transmits the disease to a human. In particular, the experts consider the large resting places on the routes of migratory birds, such. For example, the Alsatian recreational area Petite Camargue Alsacienne has become increasingly concerned and has already made its first attempts to combat biological mosquito repellence by means of biological control measures. (Fp)

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