What is the West Nile Virus?

In recent news published by a leading daily and as reported by a government press release on Thursday, 14 March, a seven-year-old boy from the Malappuram district from Kerela has been diagnosed with West Nile fever, a rather uncommon and unknown viral infection. The centre has sent a team to the area to examine the situation and help the state in the management of the infection. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr JP Nadda also spoke to Kerela Health Minister KK Shailaja and is looking at the situation closely, the press release said.

This incident has been reported seven months after a woman was admitted to the hospital with suspected symptoms of the same virus. The child has been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College and Hospital for treatment. District Medical Officer K Zakeena said that the virus was detected on March 8, according to another report. Another report by the PTI said that Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan spoke to Additional Chief Secretary in the same matter and discussed measure being taken to prevent and combat the virus.

The Indian Council for Medical Research has also been altered about the case. “There are no reports available so far about the spread of the virus in other parts of the country,” the press release said.


What is the West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus is spread by a bite of the Culex mosquitoes. There are no vaccines available to prevent the infection, nor are there any medications to treat it. 20% of infected people develop a fever, one out of 150 infected people develop a serious illness which can sometimes be fatal, says the United States-based Centres for Disease Control and prevention. The WHO says that the mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed on infected birds. The West Nile virus infection can only be confirmed if the second sample of the blood tests positive.

Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, swollen lymph glands among others.