West Nile fever is making Kerala worrying. Know everything about it.The health department in Kerala has given a warning because they found cases of West Nile fever in Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Thrissur districts. The Health Minister Veena George had a meeting to discuss how to stop the fever from spreading.She told the medical officers and local government to clean and sanitize more. They also need to make sure people know about the fever. The District Vector Control Unit took samples from different places in the state to test them.
West Nile fever in kerala
The health minister said that West Nile fever has been seen in different parts of Kerala since 2011, so there’s no need to be worried. If anyone has a fever or other symptoms, they should go to the doctor right away.To stop West Nile fever, it’s important to control mosquitoes and get rid of their breeding places. Veena George also mentioned that the symptoms of West Nile fever are similar to Japanese fever. It is not as serious. Still, she advised everyone to be cautious. She also said that people should keep their homes and surroundings clean. It’s important not to let water become stagnant.
What is West Nile fever
West Nile fever is caused by a virus called West Nile virus. It spreads through mosquitoes, especially the Culex mosquito. However, it’s not as dangerous as Japanese fever. Japanese fever mostly affects children under 18. On the other hand, West Nile fever mainly affects adults. Both of these diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes. While there is a vaccine available for Japanese fever, there is currently no vaccine for West Nile fever. The main way West Nile fever spreads is through mosquitoes, specifically the Culex genus. Birds can also get infected with this virus. It was first discovered in Uganda in 1937. The first reported case in our state was in 2011 in Alappuzha.
West Nile fever symptoms
The common symptoms of West Nile fever include headache, fever, muscle aches, dizziness, and memory loss.Many people who get infected don’t even experience any symptoms. However, some may have symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, and itching.In rare cases, about 1% of people, the virus can cause brain damage leading to unconsciousness and sometimes even death. However, the death rate is relatively low compared to Japanese fever.
