Cyprus has recorded four confirmed cases of West Nile virus so far, Deputy Director-General of the Health Ministry Elisavet Constantinou said on Tuesday, describing the situation as controlled.
Two further cases are considered probable and remain under investigation, she said, as epidemiological criteria require further laboratory testing to confirm whether they meet the case definition for West Nile virus infection.
All four confirmed cases were recorded over the summer, Constantinou said. She added that the disease is largely asymptomatic, with around 80% or more of cases showing no symptoms at all.
Constantinou said the situation remains controlled, noting that a large number of cases would have produced far more hospitalisations than the four recorded so far.
Prevention measures
On prevention, she said measures are primarily down to individuals, urging people to protect themselves from mosquito bites, including wearing long sleeves and trousers in areas near standing water.
She also recommended using insect repellent and taking steps at home to reduce mosquito breeding sites, such as avoiding stagnant water in buckets, plant pots or old tyres. Air conditioning and fans help keep mosquitoes away, she added, alongside spraying.
Vulnerable groups face a greater risk than the general healthy population, according to Constantinou, who added that more measures are needed for the elderly and vulnerable.
She clarified that the virus is not transmitted between humans, only through infected mosquitoes, and said the low number of cases in Cyprus means the likelihood of infected mosquitoes is also low. The disease is detected through blood testing, she said.
Asked whether the cases were more closely linked to travel, Constantinou confirmed that they were, saying the cases were imported.
Ministry response
She said the state is also taking broader measures, noting that the Health Ministry has been working on the issue for some time, with health worker teams spraying areas with mosquito breeding sites and taking specific precautions.
The ministry has also re-issued guidance to all doctors reminding them of the symptoms and laboratory tests involved, so they remain alert to the disease in differential diagnosis and send samples for testing. Blood collection teams have also been briefed and are carrying out specific tests on blood samples they take, she added.
“You can see that the Health Ministry is active, has mobilised, and is taking all indicated measures for this disease,” Constantinou said, adding that “there’s no reason for concern. We’re keeping an eye on developments and staying alert.”
(Information from Cyprus News Agency)
