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Rachel V Thomas

West Nile Fever Claims 2 Lives in Keralam’s Ernakulam; All About The Mosquito-Borne Disease

Health officials in Kerala have reported two deaths caused by <span>West Nile fever</span> in Ernakulam district.

The deceased was identified as Muraleedharan, a 70-year-old man from Kadangalloor near Aluva. The elderly man died while undergoing treatment on Monday at Kalamassery Medical College, officials said.

Muraleedharan, who was suffering from cancer and had respiratory problems, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital a few days ago with symptoms of West Nile fever. This is the second death from West Nile fever in the Ernakulam district in a week.

Saraswathiyamma, a native of Paravur, died of West Nile fever the other day. Many people have reportedly sought treatment at various hospitals in Ernakulam district with West Nile fever and dengue fever symptoms.

<h2>Health Department Issues Advisory</h2>

Following the incident, the state health department urged people to remain cautious and also issued an advisory urging the public to take precautions against the mosquito-borne disease.

The West Nile Fever "is caused by a flavivirus commonly found in migratory birds and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes," the department said, in a statement.

It clarified that "the disease does not spread from person to person and that preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to avoid infection".

According to health authorities, symptoms may include fever, high body temperature, stiffness of the neck, behavioral changes, confusion, semi-consciousness, or loss of consciousness, PTI reported.

The statement warned that severe infection could affect the nervous system and lead to conditions such as encephalitis and meningitis.

"Elderly persons, those with low immunity, individuals with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, and children have been identified as high-risk groups requiring special attention. Culex mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant and polluted water bodies, drainage channels, septic tanks, marshy areas, paddy fields, and overgrown vegetation, are the primary carriers of the disease," the statement said.

The disease is spread through mosquito bites, and most who get infected do not have any symptoms. However, one in every five infected people has a fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms.

The West Nile virus also infects the nervous system and is capable of causing serious brain or spinal cord inflammation.

According to the WHO, West Nile Virus is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. 

The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds that carry the virus in their blood, and then bite humans and infect them.

The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, rash around the chest and back, swollen lymph nodes, sore throats, and pain behind the eyes.

In severe cases, individuals may have an intense headache, high fever, stiff neck, making you unable to move your chin towards your chest, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of control over your muscle movements, seizures, paralysis, and coma.

<h2>West Nile Fever: How Does It Spread? </h2>

While the mosquitoes that feed on infected birds are the carriers, there is still a lack of evidence to determine whether it comes directly from the birds. The incubation period for symptoms to show up is two to six days, but it can extend to 14 days, too. 

It can be transmitted from a pregnant person to their fetus, through human milk, blood transfusion, and organ transplant. People who are over the age of 60, have cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure are more prone to the virus. 

There are no treatments or antiviral medications available for it. However, one can treat the mild symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications that you take for a cold or the flu. The best way to prevent is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

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Health officials in Kerala have reported two deaths caused by West Nile fever in Ernakulam district.The deceased was identified as Muraleedharan, a 70-year-old man from Kadangalloor near Aluva. The elderly man died while undergoing treatment on Monday at Kalamassery Medical College, officials said.Muraleedharan, who was suffering from cancer and had respiratory problems, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital a few days ago with symptoms of West Nile fever. This is the second death from West Nile fever in the Ernakulam district in a week.Saraswathiyamma, a native of Paravur, died of West Nile fever the other day. Many people have reportedly sought treatment at various hospitals in Ernakulam district with West Nile fever and dengue fever symptoms.Health Department Issues AdvisoryFollowing the incident, the state health department urged people to remain cautious and also issued an advisory urging the public to take precautions against the mosquito-borne disease.The West Nile Fever "is caused by a flavivirus commonly found in migratory birds and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes," the department said, in a statement.It clarified that "the disease does not spread from person to person and that preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to avoid infection".According to health authorities, symptoms may include fever, high body temperature, stiffness of the neck, behavioral changes, confusion, semi-consciousness, or loss of consciousness, PTI reported.The statement warned that severe infection could affect the nervous system and lead to conditions such as encephalitis and meningitis."Elderly persons, those with low immunity, individuals with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, and children have been identified as high-risk groups requiring special attention. Culex mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant and polluted water bodies, drainage channels, septic tanks, marshy areas, paddy fields, and overgrown vegetation, are the primary carriers of the disease," the statement said. What Is West Nile Fever? The disease is spread through mosquito bites, and most who get infected do not have any symptoms. However, one in every five infected people has a fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms. The West Nile virus also infects the nervous system and is capable of causing serious brain or spinal cord inflammation. According to the WHO, West Nile Virus is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds that carry the virus in their blood, and then bite humans and infect them. West Nile Fever: The SymptomsThe symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, rash around the chest and back, swollen lymph nodes, sore throats, and pain behind the eyes. In severe cases, individuals may have an intense headache, high fever, stiff neck, making you unable to move your chin towards your chest, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of control over your muscle movements, seizures, paralysis, and coma. West Nile Fever: How Does It Spread? While the mosquitoes that feed on infected birds are the carriers, there is still a lack of evidence to determine whether it comes directly from the birds. The incubation period for symptoms to show up is two to six days, but it can extend to 14 days, too. It can be transmitted from a pregnant person to their fetus, through human milk, blood transfusion, and organ transplant. People who are over the age of 60, have cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure are more prone to the virus. West Nile Fever: Treatment There are no treatments or antiviral medications available for it. However, one can treat the mild symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications that you take for a cold or the flu. The best way to prevent is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

west nile fever claims 2 lives in keralam’s ernakulam; all about the mosquito-borne disease

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