Following confirmation that a seven-year-old boy from Malappuram in Kerala suffered from the mosquito-borne disease West Nile Virus, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday sent a multi-disciplinary team to support the State health authorities in managing the virus which is mostly reported in the continental United States.
In a statement here, Union Health Ministry said that Union Health Minister JP Nadda is “closely monitoring the situation and has reviewed it with Secretary (HFW) Preeti Sudan. He has directed for all support to be extended to Kerala in its prevention and management.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
“Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms.
“About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites,” said a statement from the Ministry.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been alerted and a close watch is being maintained at Central and State level. There are no reports available so far for spread of this virus in other parts of the country.
Secretary Sudan has also spoken with Additional Chief Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan in Kerala and reviewed the situation.
The WHO says that about 20 per cent of the people who become infected with WNV will develop West Nile fever. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) and swollen lymph glands.