West Nile fever is transmitted by a mosquito and, in the case of horses, mild signs may appear, but some may develop neurological symptoms, which can be fatal. Both infected horses and humans do not promote the transmission of the disease.
The circulation of the West Nile Fever (FNO) virus has been confirmed in Portugal and the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) advises the vaccination of horses in infected areas and the protection of the animals.
“Suspicions of FNO in horses have been reported to the DGAV, and the circulation of the virus that causes the disease in the national territory has been confirmed”, .
This year, eight outbreaks were detected in Alentejo and four in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo.
So the vaccination of horses in infected areas and protection of animals against insect bites, as well as the elimination of stagnant water, considered “mosquito breeding grounds”.
West Nile fever is transmitted by a mosquito and, in the case of horses, mild signs may appear, but some may develop neurological symptoms, which can be fatal. Infected horses and humans do not promote the transmission of the disease.
In Europe, FNO appeared for the first time in 2000, in Camarque, France.
A DGAV had already warned, at the end of September, of the increase in the number of cases in Europe.
Between January and September 15, 272 outbreaks of FNO infection in animals were confirmed in Europe, mainly in Italy (216). Germany, Austria, Croatia, Spain, Estonia, Greece and Hungary have also reported outbreaks.
By species, the cases in Equidae have been detected in Germany, Croatia, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Austria.
Already the Cases in birds have been identified in Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria and Estonia.
