PRAGUE, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Czech epidemiologists have detected some mosquitoes infected with the deadly West Nile Fever virus in south Moravia, reported local media on Tuesday.
According to experts, there is no case of this disease being transmitted to human has been reported in the Czech Republic yet, but the risk exists. There is no vaccination or efficient follow-up treatment for West Nile Fever virus. The fever causes severe consequences and might be even lethal.
At present, scientists found the mosquitoes infected with this virus in south Moravia during regular checks. It cannot be ruled out that they may appear elsewhere in the country, said epidemiologist Oldrich Sebesta from the Regional Sanitary Station in Brno. Sebesta said they do not know any case of the West Nile Fever being transmitted from mosquitoes to human in the Czech Republic so far, but there is a risk and everybody should use a high-quality insect repellent.
Experts have isolated the virus from the Culex modestus mosquito that lives around ponds. However, mosquitoes can also adapt to urban conditions as well. The incubation period of this disease is three to 14 days. Its symptoms are similar to common virosis, such as pain in muscles and joints, headache, chill and fever. But most people infected with this virus won't show any serious symptoms at all.
Sebesta said that it is hard to say exactly how many mosquitoes are infected. Possibly a few percent out of their total amount.
The West Nile Fever virus might be brought to the country by migratory birds from Sub-Saharan Africa, and the birds spread the virus to mosquitoes.
