Vet infected First West Nile virus infection reported in Germany

First transmission of West Nile virus to a human within Germany

According to experts, the lethal West Nile virus continues to spread in Europe. This year more than 70 deaths have been reported by the pathogen. In this country, the pathogen has hardly appeared so far. But now it came in Germany for the first time to a transfer of the West Nile virus to a human.

Dangerous virus continues to spread

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a list of diseases and pathogens that "pose a risk to public health and for which there are no or inadequate countermeasures". In this context, she also pointed to diseases on her website that "continue to pose major public health issues" and require further research. One of these diseases is West Nile fever, caused by the West Nile virus. This pathogen is spreading more and more in Europe. In Germany, a transmission of the pathogen to a human was registered for the first time.

In Bavaria, the first known transmission of West Nile virus to a human being within Germany was recently registered. The pathogen is usually transmitted by mosquitoes. (Image: Kletr / fotolia.com)

Veterinarian fell ill with West Nile fever

As the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) writes in a statement, a veterinarian in Bavaria a few days after the autopsy of a died of West Nile virus bearded owl from a wildlife park in the district of Ebersberg in West Nile fever.

According to the information, the man has now recovered.

According to the LGL, the transmission of the virus was very likely due to direct contact with pathogenic body fluids of the dead bird.

"This is the first known transmission of West Nile virus to a human being within Germany," the statement says. "A human-to-human infection is unknown."

Infection is often asymptomatic

The infection is asymptomatic in 80 percent of those infected. Only about 20 percent show mild disease symptoms such as fever and flu-like symptoms.

In some cases - especially in older patients with pre-existing conditions - however, a more severe, highly febrile disease course with meningitis may occur. In addition, the disease can be fatal in rare cases.

The detection of West Nile virus is notifiable.

Animals killed in nature do not touch

The West Nile virus is usually transmitted by mosquitoes. Birds are the main hosts for the pathogen, with the infection remaining symptomless in most cases.

However, highly sensitive birds can get sick and die. If you find dead birds you should not touch them and in case of accumulations of dead birds contact the responsible veterinary office.

In general, animals killed in nature should not be touched, as this can be a risk of infection. Occupationally exposed people should pay attention to health and safety at work, especially when dissecting dead birds or horses.

Avoid mosquito bites

As the LGL explains, mosquitoes can indeed transmit the virus to humans, but the likelihood of becoming infected is very low in Germany because of the advanced season.

In Europe, there were more frequent seasonal outbreaks or isolated transmissions in the past, especially in southern European countries.

Significantly more cases have been reported this year, especially from southern and south-eastern Europe, including, for example, northern Italy, than in previous years.

To protect against a possible disease applies, as with other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, mosquito bites by an adequate mosquito prophylaxis as possible to avoid. (Ad)