200x113-..-images-images_news-komaracVWest Nile virus belongs to the group of viruses known as Flaviviridae and it is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito. Often, people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. However, severe symptoms like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the meninges – protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord) may occur. Approximately 80% of infected persons have no symptoms.

This especially refers to people who live in areas where infection with West Nile virus frequently occurs. Up to 20 % of infected people have mild flu-like symptoms such as increased temperature, headache, muscle pains, nausea, vomiting, with the possibility of occurrence of enlarged lymph nodes, skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Most of the people suffering from this virus recover completely within several days, even though meningitis or encephalitis may develop in the most endangered groups (such as people older than 75 years or people with diabetes). Approximately one person of 150 persons infected with this virus develops serious clinical signs and symptoms. The serological identification of West Nile virus by detection of IgM antibodies is currently performed in the Institute of Microbiology of the Clinical Centre Banja Luka. Since the beginning of June 2014, we had 13 positive tests in total. Since the beginning of June 2014, eight patients with serologically confirmed West Nile virus were treated in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Centre Banja Luka. Currently, there are no patients who are treated because of this virus infection. All our patients developed mild to intermediately severe clinical signs and symptoms. A specific treatment of the infection caused by this virus does not exist. In the cases of exclusively mild symptoms, therapy is not necessary. However, medications for reducing the pain and lowering the body temperature can be administered. More severe cases of West Nile fever require hospitalization, so that adequate supportive therapy and care could be provided.