The health authorities of the Region of Western Greece and Ilia have been on alert since yesterday, after the notification they received from the EODY about three confirmed cases of West Nile Virusone in the municipality of Ilida and two in the municipality of Andravidas-Kyllini, with the health protocols already in place and the decision-makers asking the citizens not to panic and to faithfully follow what the medical world will tell them.

More specifically, according to information from eff. “Patris” cases were detected in Kourouta, Lechaina and the Manolada area.

The Deputy Regional Governor of Public Health Anna Mastorakou focused on the specific two cases, who was informed yesterday morning by the EODY about the existence of two cases in the above municipalities. At the District level, he emphasized that a competition is already underway to combat mosquitoes and yesterday there was direct communication with the contractor company that carries out the spraying in order to launch spraying in the areas of interest, in cooperation with the Municipality. At the same time, there was also an update by EODY at the level of municipalities, analyzing everything that needs to be done from now on.

Requests from citizens, Medical Associations and Municipalities

Regarding the citizens, Ms. Mastorakou initially asked the citizens to take individual protection measures against mosquitoes, keeping their house clean, not keeping garbage for days and not allowing standing water to exist in any part of it. Subsequently, he advised them that in case there are symptoms of fever, headache, myalgias and gastrointestinal system such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, to contact the attending physicians.

In fact, Mrs. Mastorakou also contacted the medical associations of the prefecture and asked them to issue instructions for an increased index of suspicion to the doctors who should be examined, while as far as the municipalities are concerned, the basic request is on the one hand to inform the public with brochures that will be distributed to the local self-government of the First Degree by the Region for the correct information of the residents of the area and on the other hand the care by the Municipality so that there is no stagnant water in any part of it.

At the same time, the two municipalities should cooperate with the contracting company for intensive spraying in the areas of interest and at the same time follow the instructions given by the competent departments.

Viral transmissibility and continued blood donation

An important point on which Mrs. Mastorakou wanted to dwell further was that of the contagiousness of the virus, pointing out that “in no case is it transmitted from human to human, but from birds to mosquitoes and then to humans”. Among other things, he pointed out that there is no need to suspend any blood donation and that the authorities “have already procured all the necessary tools to detect every blood sample they receive”.

Fears about the virus and the situation of the two incidents

However, she also expressed her fears regarding the virus and the influence it can have on the nervous system. “Symptoms are usually mild with 80% being asymptomatic. In 20%, however, the symptoms are moderate or very severe. Where we actually have the heaviest images is when we see symptoms of encephalitis, disorientation, confusion, improper contact with the environment or meningitis,” he said specifically. In closing, he focused on the two incidents that have been identified, stating that they are in a controlled situation and not in a serious condition. “They are being treated, monitored and are in a stable condition,” he concluded.