West Nile virus case in Serbia is fatal: Media report

On Saturday, Outbreak News Today published a story on the West Nile virus (WNV) situation in the European Union and surrounding areas. Part of that report was on the first human WNV case in Serbia.

Today, Serbian media have reported on the death of a 56-year-old man from the mosquito borne viral disease.

“The patient aged 56 died from the West Nile virus. The patient was admitted to Belgrade’s hospital in critical condition following his transfer from Vrsac,” spokeswoman for the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases of the Clinical Center of Serbia, Aleksandra Beric said.

The European CDC says West Nile fever is caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes and whose reservoir includes wild birds and mosquitoes. Humans are mainly infected through mosquito bites, but infection can occur through organ transplantation and blood.

An incubation period of 3–14 days precedes symptoms. However, most human infections are asymptomatic. The majority of clinical cases are mild and present with flu-like symptoms. Severe cases with signs of encephalitis, meningo-encephalitis or meningitis, are most often observed among elderly. No specific therapy is available.

As it affects countries in Europe every year, West Nile fever is now recognised as a major cause of public health concern in this region. No vaccine is currently available. The main preventive measures are aimed at reducing exposure to mosquito bites.