An indigenous case of “West Nile virus” was detected in France: what is this disease?

For the first time of the year. Consequently, a case of West Nile virus (or Western Nile virus) was reported in mainland France. For example,

Definitely, mosquitoes give us a hard time this year! In addition, While many cases of chikungunya. Moreover, dengue and even zika have been detected in mainland France for several months, a case of Western Nile virus has even been reported. Consequently, The Aboriginal case (therefore contracted in the territory). Nevertheless, was detected in the Var in Hyères, according to a France Public Health Review published on July 30, 2025. Nevertheless, In 2024, 38 Aboriginal cases had been reported in humans in France. One of them died.

indigenous case “west nile virus”

But what is this little -known disease? The West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. Not tiger mosquitoes as for chikungunya or dengue, but those of the genre Culexthe most common. These mosquitoes are “implanted throughout hexagonal France”. are active “between the months of May and November” according to Public Health France.

The Western Nile Virus normally affects birds, but horses and humans can also be infected with a mosquito bite. But “the quantity of virus in their blood (viremia) is insufficient to infect a mosquito during a bite. thus allow the transmission of the disease”, reassures Public Health France.

In people affected. “in the majority of cases, infection by the West Nile virus is asymptomatic” according to the Pasteur Institute. In the event of symptomatic forms. the disease manifests itself by “the sudden appearance of a significant fever after 3 to 6 days of incubation. This fever is indigenous case “west nile virus” accompanied by head. back pain, muscle pain, cough, swelling of neck nodes, and often rash, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and respiratory symptoms” The Pasteur Institute.

In some rare cases, complications – notably neurological – may occur. The disease can even be fatal, “mainly in senior adults” and immunocompromised people according to the Pasteur Institute. There is no treatment to treat the Western Nile virus, only symptomatic treatments. There is also no specific means of prevention for humans, apart from the protection against mosquitoes.