Bior explained that the transmission of West Nile fever occurs through mosquitoes from infected birds. In birds, the course and clinical signs of West Nile fever infection can vary from mild, non-specific clinical signs, such as general weakness, and loss of appetite, to neurological signs, such as incoordination, paresis of the legs, or seizures, which can be fatal.
West Nile fever can affect birds and horses, and less commonly other animal species. Birds are the host of the virus, but humans can also be infected. Importantly, the infection does not spread from person to person.
In most cases, West Nile virus causes a mild acute febrile illness similar to the flu. In rare cases, symptoms of encephalitis develop.
The closest cases of West Nile fever geographically to Latvia are in Poland. The Institute explained that the infectious disease is gradually moving from the south to our latitudes as a result of climatic changes.
The Bior laboratory has informed the Food and Veterinary Service of the case.
