Qualche giorno fa è stato lanciato il primo allarme per quanto riguarda la zanzara West Nile. Tuttavia, tra i primi casi, proprio nel Veneto si è verificato il primo decesso: era un uomo di 77 anni che già soffriva di problemi cardiorespiratori. È morto dopo il trasporto in ospedale proprio a seguito del virus trasmesso da una zanzara infetta.

Il ricovero del paziente era avvenuto appena 5 giorni fa, il 24 luglio, ma a seguito del peggioramento delle sue condizioni di salute, è stato trasferito dall’ospedale di Cento, a quello di Cona ed è qui che gli è stata riscontrata la meningite da West Nile.

Zanzara West Nile: fuori pericolo il dodicesimo caso

Situazione completamente diversa per l’ultimo caso riscontrato, il dodicesimo. Quest’ultimo, invece, è fuori pericolo: si tratta di una donna di Fossalta di Piave, che si è subito sentita meglio psicologicamente quando il dottore gli ha confermato che il peggio era ormai alle spalle. L’infezione, nello specifico, le ha causato la formazione di bolle di dimensione ridotta su tutto il corpo, accompagnato da mal di testa e e dolori articolari, due sintomi tipici di una classica influenza stagionale.

Ad essere stato importante per la salvezza della donna di 53 anni, è stato il fatto di essersi recata – dopo poche ore dai disturbi – dal medico di base, richiedendo un test proprio specifico per il West Nile. Un po’ come se il sesto senso le avesse detto cosa chiedere al medico ed è subito stata accontentata con il test che ha dato esito positivo.

Il test viene effettuato con due tipi di anticorpi che, in questo caso, hanno dato l’esito positivo. Dunque a quel punto è stata subito ricoverata, anche se non sono riusciti a risalire al luogo dove avrebbe potuto contrarre l’infezione. La donna si era spostata da Jesolo a Eraclea, ma è stata anche a Verona.</s>HARTFORD — Hartford officials have been notified that mosquitos that tested positive for the West Nile Virus have been found in Keney Park.

“Even though we see the West Nile virus in some form every year in Connecticut, I hope residents will take basic steps to prevent mosquito bites and report any potential West Nile virus infections to a health care professional,” said Mayor Luke Bronin. “I want to thank the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for their work to detect West Nile virus in Hartford.”

The insects were captured on July 24. There have been no human cases reported this season.

So far this season, mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus have been found in more than 10 communities.</s>HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Additional mosquitoes in Connecticut have tested positive for West Nile virus.

Officials in Hartford say mosquitoes trapped in Keney Park have tested positive for the virus.

Mosquitoes with West Nile virus have been found this year in: Bethany, Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Franklin, Greenwich, Madison, New Canaan, New Haven, Stamford, Stratford, Waterbury Waterford, West Haven and Weston.

There been no reported cases of any people with West Nile virus in Hartford since the mosquitoes were tested on July 24.

The virus has been detected in Connecticut every year since 1999. Last year, three state residents were diagnosed and hospitalized from infections.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites include using insect repellant when outdoors and repairing damaged window screens</s>Southwestern public health is urging local residents to take precautions after a Woodstock mosquito pool tested positive for the West Nile virus.

“We encourage everyone to make sure they are protecting themselves from mosquitoes and the West Nile virus while out and about this summer,” said Elaine Roddick, public health’s manager of infectious disease, in a media release.

The positive test – the first of the season in Oxford County – came during routine surveillance by the public health unit. Throughout the summer months, public health traps and tests mosquito pools across Oxford County on a weekly basis.

There was one human case of the West Nile virus in Oxford County in 2017. Prior to that, there had been no positive human cases in the region since 2006.

The West Nile virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who are infected with the virus suffer no symptoms or experience a very mild illness such as fever, headache, muscle weakness and body aches.

In rare cases, people can experience a more severe form of West Nile virus called encephalitis, a swelling of the brain that could cause sudden and severe headaches, high fevers, a stiff neck and disorientation. Seniors, young children and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of health complications from the virus.

Help prevent the spread of West Nile virus

· Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants, especially in mosquito-prone areas.
• None Regularly clean and empty water holding containers like bird baths, wading pools, pet water dishes and children’s toys, which could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• None Ensure rain barrels are covered with a fine screen and tightly sealed around the downspout.
• None Clear your yard of old tires, empty flower pots, buckets and any other debris where water collects.
• None Keep grass mowed and bushes trimmed in high use areas.
• None Make sure your doors and window screens fit tightly and are free of holes.</s>West Nile is a virus that’s typically spread by infected mosquitoes. Though side effects of the virus can be severe, most people who are infected experience little to no symptoms and fully recover.

Here are three things to know about the West Nile virus, which was first reported in the U.S. in 1999.

How does it spread?

Mosquitoes are largely to blame for spreading West Nile virus.

It all starts when “mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes then spread West Nile virus to people and other animals by biting them,” according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

West Nile does not spread through coughing and sneezing or touching a live animal that’s infected with the virus.

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What are the symptoms?

Most people who are infected do not experience symptoms, the CDC warns. However, a small percentage of people — roughly 1 in 5 — develop a fever and may additionally experience headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash, among other signs of the virus.

Even rarer, about 1 in 150 people who are infected with West Nile virus can develop a serious illness — such as inflammation of the spinal cord or brain — the CDC said.

There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment to treat or prevent the virus, according to the CDC. Rather, those who are infected can take over the counter pain and fever reducers to alleviate symptoms.

Fortunately, most people who are infected recover completely.



However, in severe cases, “patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care,” according to the CDC.

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The Mayo Clinic warns people who are older, as well as those with pre-existing medical conditions, are more susceptible to the virus.

“Cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, increase your risk. So does receiving an organ transplant,” according to the CDC, which also noted the risk can be lessened by wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent and keeping screens on windows and doors.</s>Authorities are struggling to contain the infection with three areas already testing positive for the virus - Jesolo, Caorle and Ceggia. All three had already been decontaminated, meaning the outbreaks are moving faster than tests and disinfestations. A 77-year-old man died yesterday after he contracted an infected mosquito bite in Cento, near Bologna in northern Italy. He had originally been admitted to hospital for a fall on Tuesday, July 24, but his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a specialist hospital 60 miles away in Cona, where he was diagnosed with West Nile meningoencephalitis.

The West Nile virus has no symptoms in 75 percent of cases. But those who do show signs suffer flu-like symptoms, with a fever, headache, vomiting and a rash. In the worst of cases, the virus can develop into meningitis or encephalitis causes seizures and confusion. If the infection reaches the nervous system, it can cause death in 10 percent of cases. The twelfth person to be infected by the virus, in the eastern Veneto region, saw small bubbles erupt all over her body, as well as a headache and joint pains, two days ago.

The mayor of Fossalta di Piave, in the Venice area, has ordered a “massive disinfestation” throughout the area, after the 53-year-old woman tested positive for the infection. The woman managed to stop the infection becoming any more dangerous by spotting symptoms early. Pier Giorgio Scotton said: "She went to the doctor and said, ‘Could it be the West Nile?’ And she was immediately tested. Their suspicion was founded.” She was taken to hospital immediately, where she is now out of danger and recovering. Mr Scotton said: “She was always lucid and present. She will still need a few days to say that the most difficult phase is over.” It is not known where the infected mosquito was as the woman had travelled in the Jesolo and Eraclea areas. It is also difficult to identify where infected mosquitos are as incubation periods can vary from person to person from two days to two weeks. And mosquitos travel between towns within just a few hours.</s>Mosquitoes captured in Hartford’s Keney Park have tested positive for West Nile Virus, city officials said.

Workers with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection trapped the bugs last week. There have been no reported cases of West Nile in the city.

Most people infected with the virus do not have symptoms. About one in five will develop a fever, while roughly one out of 150 infected develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus was detected in mosquitoes from several Connecticut towns this summer, including Bethany, Franklin, Greenwich, Madison, New Haven, Waterford, West Haven and Weston.

West Nile-positive insects were also caught in Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, New Canaan, Stamford, Stratford and Waterbury earlier this year.

“Even though we see the West Nile virus in some form every year in Connecticut, I hope residents will take basic steps to prevent mosquito bites and report any potential West Nile virus infections to a health care professional,” Mayor Luke Bronin said.

City leaders urged residents to wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt while outdoors or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep insects away from the skin.</s>SANILAC COUNTY, Mich. - Health officials have confirmed the first human infection of West Nile virus for the state of Michigan in 2018.

A blood donor in Sanilac County tested positive for the virus, health officials said.

The person is not reporting any illnesses. Most people who become infected do not develop symptoms.

Health officials said the confirmed case of West Nile virus is a reminder for all residents to use protection against mosquito bites throughout the summer and into the fall.</s>POTTSVILLE — The West Nile virus is spreading in Schuylkill County, officials said.

Hegins Township is the latest municipality where the virus was detected, according to the state Department of Health.

A positive mosquito sample was collected July 19 in the township. The state DOH reported the results July 24.

Other recent positive samples were collected in Pottsville on July 17 and reported July 24 and collected in Cressona on July 18 and reported Wednesday. The samples are sent to a laboratory for testing before being reported.

The virus causes flu-like symptoms and can result in encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain. Symptoms can show three to 14 days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, according to a fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kyle Schutt, the county’s mosquito-borne disease control technician, said Monday that the most recent positive sample was in the central area of Hegins Township.

The recent heavy rain adds to the possibility of the virus spreading, he said.

“I just expect things to keep picking up,” Schutt said.

West Nile has been detected in the county this year in Pottsville, Cressona, Schuylkill Haven and Ringtown boroughs and Hegins, West Mahanoy and Mahanoy townships. Schutt has placed 189 traps to date to catch mosquitoes for testing.

Weather permitting, Schutt said, the DEP will conduct truck spraying to combat the virus in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona. An exact time has not been determined.

“They have had enough positives at different locations. We believe a truck-mounted spray will be the best,” he said.

The virus has been found in 48 out of 67 counties in the state this year. York County has the most positive cases of the virus at 117. The first case this year was reported in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, on June 21.

The first “probable” human case of the virus was found in an Allegheny County resident earlier this month, the DOH said. The sample was sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing.

Ten counties have birds that tested positive for the virus: Schuylkill, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Clearfield, Union, Lebanon, Huntington, Blair and Somerset.

State officials are warning residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

“With our recent heavy rains, Pennsylvanians may see an increase in mosquito activity. There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-related diseases,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement.

While outside, using a DEET-containing insect replant and wearing light-colored clothing can help, the state said. Making sure a house’s screens fit properly and are in good condition is also important.

“Using a personal insect replant or staying indoors during dawn and dusk will help prevent exposure to mosquitoes,” state DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said.

Mosquitoes can bite during any time but are most active during dusk and dawn.

Removing stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed, can help reduce the spread of the virus.
• Remove tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water. Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Have roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves tend to clog the drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Do not let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and remove standing water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water on a property.
• Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated with Bti products sold at outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. Bti is a natural product that kills mosquito larvae but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Source: The state Department of Health and state Department of Environmental Protection</s>DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - It’s an all-out war against mosquitoes in DeKalb County.

Health officials said they have found 47 West Nile-infected mosquitoes so far this season. That puts DeKalb on track to meet or beat last year’s numbers.

County health officials said this is a crucial time, especially with children heading back to school.

The fear is they could get bitten at a bus stop or at after-school programs outdoors when the bugs are most active, at dusk and dawn.

Channel 2’s Sophia Choi went out with crews as they executed their battle plans against the pesky bugs carrying the dangerous virus.

Crews are targeting schools by spreading larvicide pellets where they think the insects will breed. They’re focusing on waterways, storm drains and ditches.

Right now, the county is concentrating in the northwest corridor, where they’ve had a history of cases and where they’re seeing the most complaints.

But health experts said mosquitoes are everywhere and everyone should take precautions.

“All the metro counties have mosquitoes that probably (have) West Nile,” said Gordon Cargal, a mosquito expert with DeKalb’s health department.

County leaders said it’s imperative all residents take this seriously and take precautions.

Suggestions included hiring a company to spray your yard, spraying yourself with DEET products and getting rid of any standing water outdoors.

Officials said just one bottle cap of water can breed more than 100 mosquitoes.

West Nile produces flu-like symptoms for most. But in rare cases, it can make you very ill.

“West Nile can be fatal, so we don’t want to run the risk of anyone contracting the disease," said Eric Nickens, a spokesperson for the DeKalb Health Department.

Symptoms in humans normally don’t show up for weeks. That’s why the county said human West Nile infections start popping up in August, nearly a month after the first infected mosquitoes are discovered.

Right now, DeKalb has no human cases. But experts warn that may change.
A man died and 12 others were hospitalized when the West Nile virus spread across Italy.