West Nile virus: what it is, what the risks are, and what happens next

West Nile virus

West Nile virus is a virus that mainly lives in birds. Mosquitoes can pass it to people and horses. Most people notice nothing or only mild symptoms.

What are the risks?

The symptoms often look like flu: fever, headache, muscle pain and tiredness. A small group becomes seriously ill. That is more common in older adults and people with weaker immunity. Then the virus can affect the brain or nerves.

There is no vaccine for people and no medicine that removes the virus itself. In hospital, doctors can still help with the symptoms and the care you need.

What may happen in the coming years?

WHO and ECDC say warmer summers and longer mosquito seasons give the virus more time. That means it can stay active longer in Europe and show up in more areas.

In the Netherlands, RIVM already keeps watch on the virus in birds and mosquitoes. That means new human cases can still happen when the weather and mosquitoes are right.

What can you do?

Protect yourself from mosquito bites, especially in the evening and early morning. Use repellent with DEET, wear covering clothes and sleep under a mosquito net if needed.

Remove standing water around your home and garden, because mosquitoes can breed there. If you get a high fever, stiff neck or confusion after a mosquito bite, contact a doctor right away.

Short answers

Can you catch West Nile virus from another person? No, not through normal contact. Mosquitoes spread it. Rarely, blood or transplant spread can happen.

Who has a higher risk of severe illness? Older adults and people with weaker immunity. Most other people get no symptoms or only a mild illness.

Is there a vaccine or treatment? No, not for people. That is why mosquito prevention matters so much.

What is the best advice for the next years? Keep preventing mosquito bites. That is the best protection now and later.

Sources

• WHO Europe: West Nile virus, as cases rise across parts of Europe
• WHO: vector-borne diseases
• RIVM: West Nile fever
• RIVM: West Nile fever, current updates
• ECDC: surveillance and updates for West Nile virus infection

This is information, not medical advice.