Brit tourists in Spain on alert for killer West Nile virus as disease spreads to 45 people after killing two
BRITISH tourists are on high alert after Spain’s deadly outbreak of Nile fever has already spread to the city of Seville.
The number of cases of the disease which is caused by mosquito bites has now risen to 45 within the space of a few days.
Two people have already died and at least seven others are in intensive care.
Twenty others are in general wards.
The main outbreaks are in the riverside areas of Coria del Río and La Puebla del Río in the municipality of Seville.
But now one case has been reported 25 miles away in the east of the city itself.
And two other cases have been reported in the neighbouring areas of Los Palacios and Villafranca.
Seville council announced this morning it is disinfecting certain areas of the city to stop any further spread and has sent out an alert to local residents.
FEARS IT COULD SPREAD ACROSS SPAIN
Experts have already warned that Nile fever could spread across Spain and health chiefs say they are worried.
Massive fumigation is underway in both Coria del Río and La Puebla del Rio where the local authority is also battling rising cases of coronavirus.
The two people who have died from Nile fever, a man aged 77 and an 85-year-old woman, both lived locally.
The council says it is very sad about their deaths and is continuing to do all it can to contain the mosquito virus which presents the same symptoms as meningitis.
West Nile virus?
Nile virus is generally transmitted by mosquitoes that bite birds, which carry the virus and deposit it in both humans and horses.
A significant number of people do not have symptoms but it can lead to serious health problems and death. A number of horses in the area have been tested positive for Nile fever.
According to data provided by the WHO, 20 per cent of those who become infected suffer symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, body pain, nausea and to a lesser extent, skin rashes or enlarged lymph nodes.
In its worst version, it can cause a neuroinvasive disease such as encephalitis, meningitis or poliomyelitis.
WHO assures that it occurs only in one of every 150 cases and that it can happen in people of any age although those over 50 years of age and people with immune problems are at higher risk.
This outbreak of the Nile virus is the largest that has been recorded in Andalusia and is attributed to the 30 per cent increase in mosquitoes in the wetlands of the Doñana National Park and the Guadalquivir river.
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All areas are being fumigated, including local sports facilities, main roads, squares, school areas, the countryside and riverbeds.
Residents have been urged to take all health precautions, including staying indoors between dusk and dawn, using insect repellent and mosquito nets, turning off lights and keeping all their homes clean, including swimming pools.
Both towns are now locked in a battle with the government of Andalusia over payment for the second phase of fumigation.
They say they paid for the first out of their local coffers but aren’t prepared to pay the bill for the second stage.
Some experts say it would be better to disinfect the areas from the air.