The Western Nile Virus is now present in the heart of Île-de-France. For the first time, two cases were identified in people who have not traveled in an area already affected. A surprise health alert, including the authorities.
According to the ARS of Île-de-France, “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 Île-de-France in the 15 days preceding the appearance of symptoms”.
Seven confirmed cases, in total, in mainland France
In total, “Seven Aboriginal cases of West Nile virus infection were identified in France“, Specifies Public Health France in its latest bulletin. The first patient had been detected in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, where the presence of the virus is already known. But this appearance in the Paris region changes the situation for epidemiological surveillance.
Faced with an unprecedented situation in Île-de-France, ARS strengthens its collaboration with various partners to assess the health risk, slow down its spread and guarantee a coordinated response in the affected region:
- Realization of an epidemiological survey with the regional public health unit France to locate the potential contamination sites;
- Temporary security of human biological products from the alert, including labile blood products as well as organ donations, tissues, cells and gametes, in collaboration with the French Blood Establishment (EFS) and the Biomedicine Agency (ABM), in partnership with Public Health France;
- Awareness of health establishments in Île-de-France likely to deal with serious cases of the disease;
- Intensification of entomological surveillance around confirmed human cases and areas at risk of transmission by birds;
- Mobilization of animal health professionals to increase the surveillance of birds and horses in Île-de-France.
A virus transmitted by common mosquitoes
The West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Culex, nicknamed “common mosquitoes”, which are contaminated only in contact with infected birds.
Schematically, the insect stings a bird carrying the virus, then a human being. The West Nile virus is not transmitted from man to man or from man to mosquito.
In 80 % of cases, the infection goes unnoticed. Otherwise, it can manifest itself by fever, pain, headache and sometimes a rash, reports the site of the Pasteur Institute. Less than 1 % of patients develop neurological complications, especially immunocompromised people.
Gestures to limit the bites and brake the virus
Unlike tiger mosquitoes, the Culex prick especially at sunset and overnight. To reduce the risk, it is important to adopt the following gestures:
- Wear loose and covering clothes;
- Use an adapted skin repellent in the evening on the exposed areas;
- Install mosquito nets or fences at the windows;
- Sleep under a mosquito net, imbued with insecticide if necessary;
- Limit stagnant water points around home, such as flower pot saucers or poorly covered tanks.
These simple gestures, combined with increased vigilance of health authorities, are today the best weapon to contain the Western Nile virus in Île-de-France.
ARS Ile-de-France advises quickly consulting a doctor in the event of evocative symptoms: Brutal appearance of significant fever accompanied by head and back pain, muscle pain, cough, swelling of neck nodes, and often rash, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and respiratory symptoms.
