West Nile Fever Spreads in Europe

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 67 deaths due to infections with the West Nile Fever virus in European nations. Although the risk of infection remains low for the general traveller, more people than expected have been infected in new areas where the virus has not been found previously.

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Travellers who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors or who will be in areas with a lot of mosquitoes are at increased risk of exposure to West Nile Virus. The risk of exposure for the general traveller is quite low. However, in a small number of infected people, West Nile virus can cause serious neurological illness, including death. Since there is no vaccine or treatment for West Nile fever, travellers to areas where this virus has been found can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites.