The Algarve’s health authority has issued an alert for West Nile virus after a suspected case was diagnosed in Faro.
The virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito so the advice is simple, avoid mosquito bites by using repellents and mosquito nets.
After health service chiefs met last night, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) issued a formal warning that the authorities and the population should adopt preventive measures.
The DGS explains this virus is not transmitted from person to person, but solely by mosquito bites and in 20% of infections there will be headaches and muscle pain which in rare cases develops into viral meningitis.
The patient in the Algarve already has been discharged from hospital but continues to be monitored with while full lab tests are undertaken.
Among the recommendations made by the DGS is that vets are alerted as the infected mozzies can transmit the infection to animals, particularly horses.
There were two cases of West Nile virus in the Ria Formosa area in 2004 and in 2010 a scare raised awareness and a surveillance process was instituted.
In less severe form the disease causes fever, headache, muscle aches among other symptoms.
Severe cases lead to meningitis or encephalitis. There is no specific treatment or vaccine and, as it is not a disease caused by bacteria, antibiotics are useless.
