Kinkini Gupta
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Written By: Kinkini Gupta | Updated : May 17, 2024 11:41 AM IST
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West Nile Fever: Doctor Explains Severity Of This Viral Disease Amid Rapid Spread In India
Multiple cases of West Nile Fever has been reported from the state of Kerala recently. On Monday, the health authorities also reported the death of one person due to the virus. In the wake of this spread, the state government's public health and preventive medicine department has issued an advisory for the people and the authorities. The advisory highlights an urgent requirement for testing and medical intervention for the residents of the state who are showing any tups of symptoms of are suffering from encephalitis. The viral disease can be mild and severe and that is why it is important to remain cautious. The disease has so far been reported from three districts of Kerala, namely Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur.
Symptoms of West Nile fever can range from asymptomatic to severe symptoms accompanying meningitis or encephalitis. Dr. Vinus Taneja, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital elaborates more on the severity of the disease and the common symptoms it comes with. Here are the common symptoms of West Nile Fever: fever, headache, body ache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes. The main line of management is supportive treatment and preventive measures, there is no definite line of management.
Dr. Vinus Taneja says, "Recently we have seen increase in the cases of West Nile fever [WNF]; which is caused by West Nile Virus [WNV]. This virus is a flavivirus, member of Japanese encephalitis Virus Antigenic Complex. It is transmitted by mosquito bite, specifically, Culex species."
The West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause two forms of illness:
According to Dr. Taneja, the incubation period is 2 to 14 days. People who are of risk of seven form are: Elderly people, people suffering from malignancy, organ transplant patient and people win other medical co-morbidities. WNF is self-limiting; unless severe form. It is just like other viral disease or Dengue. Most of the times it is asymptomatic. Supportive measures like plenty of oral liquid and immediate attention of your doctor. Preventive measures like personal protection from mosquitoes, wearing long sleeves, use of mosquito repellent and prevent breeding areas of mosquitoes.
