First confirmed case of West Nile virus infection recorded in Moldova

Chisinau, 6 September /MOLDPRES/ - The first confirmed case of West Nile virus infection has been recorded in Moldova. The patient is a 70-year-old man from the southern Cahul city.    

Contacted by MOLDPRES, a physician epidemiologist of the National Public health Agency (ANSP), Victoria Silvinschi, said that, on 13 August, the man, was painfully stung by an unknown insect at his home. Subsequently, on 18 August, he was on a visit to Galati, Romania. The first symptoms appeared on 24 August, the patient complaining of tiredness, dizziness, myalgia and fever of 39-40 degrees. Two days later, on 26 August, the man was put in the medical and sanitary public institution Cahul district hospital, with high blood pressure.        

Given that the condition of the patient worsened, one day after hospitalization, he was transferred to the reanimation section of the Cahul hospital. On 29 August, the man was brought to the Chisinau-based Emergency Medicine Institute by sanitary aviation. The disease case triggered by the West Nile virus was confirmed by laboratory diagnosis.    

The West Nile virus can be transmitted from man to man through sting of an infected mosquito. The incubation period is of 3-14 days. So far, no confirmed case of infection with the concerned virus has been recorded in Moldova. More cases of infection, including deaths, were registered in Romania.     

To protect ourselves of mosquito stings, physicians recommend wearing vests with long sleeves and trousers, especially during mornings and evenings, avoiding cases with large number of mosquitoes, use of protecting chemical substances, setting protection nets at windows and doors, regular evacuation of domestic waste. People travelling to regions with risk of contamination are warned to pay special attention to the observance of the rules of protection from mosquito stings. If falling sick, people are recommended to quickly appeal to doctor.