Martin Lilyvre / AFP
A first indigenous case, that is to say infected without prior travel in a country exposed endemically to the disease, had been detected in the Var in mid-July.
After a first indigenous case detected in the Var in mid-July, two new similar cases of the Western Nile virus were identified in Seine-Saint-Denis, announces the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in Ile-de-France in a press release. One case is defined as indigenous when no trip to a country exposed to an endemic way took place within 15 days of the appearance of symptoms. “The first case, identified at the end of July, had (…) stayed in the Jura department (Burgundy-Franche-Comté) during the possible period of risk exposure. The second case, confirmed on August 6, did not leave the Ile-de-France within 15 days preceding the appearance of symptoms ”specifies the ARS.
Mosquito bite
The Western Nile Virus is transmitted to humans mainly by the bite of a mosquito of the genre Culexinfected after having stung a bird carrying the virus. This mosquito, common in metropolitan France, especially stings in the evening and at night, unlike the tiger mosquito, active during the day.
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ARS explains about the associated disease that: “In 80 % of cases, the infection is asymptomatic. When it is symptomatic, it manifests itself by a pseudo-grippal syndrome (large fever accompanied by headaches, muscle or abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea). In rare cases (less than 1 %), neurological complications (meningitis, encephalitis) may occur. Generally, the patient spontaneously recovers, sometimes with sequelae. But viral infection can be fatal mainly in the elderly. ”
Present on several continents, the Western Nile Virus has been experiencing a progressive extension in Europe since 2010 according to ARS, especially in the countries of the South, with an increase in neuro-invasive forms. In total, “Seven Aboriginal cases of infection (…) were identified in France”specifies Public Health France in its bulletin published this Wednesday, quoted by Franceinfo. The first indigenous case was detected in Hyères in July.
