Three people in the Netherlands have died from infections caused by the West Nile virus in recent weeks, while the number of infections contracted in the country this year has risen to 18, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
The latest figures follow the institute’s report last month of the first death caused by West Nile virus in the Netherlands and the first infection contracted in the country since 2020. Nine new cases have been reported since last Thursday, according to the RIVM, bringing the total number of infections contracted in the Netherlands this year to 18.
West Nile virus is primarily found in birds and can reach humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The RIVM said the virus cannot be transmitted between humans.
West Nile Cases Recorded Across Six Provinces
The infections identified in the Netherlands have been recorded in Utrecht, North Brabant, North Holland, South Holland, Overijssel and Gelderland.
According to the RIVM, one of the cases was discovered through a scientific study conducted by the blood bank Sanquin Research. The other patients were diagnosed after being admitted to hospital with symptoms.
Two more people have died in a Dutch hospital, the institute said, increasing the number of deaths from West Nile virus in the Netherlands this year to three. The country had reported one death from the virus as recently as last week.
A woman from Drenthe also died from West Nile virus earlier this year, but the case was not included in the Dutch figures because she had contracted the infection in Southeast Europe.
Most Infected People Develop No Symptoms
The RIVM said about 80% of people infected with West Nile virus develop no symptoms. Around one in five infected people experience flu-like symptoms, while about 1% develop neurological symptoms.
Older people and individuals with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of developing severe illness. The World Health Organization has said the virus can cause severe illness in about one in 150 people who become infected.
The WHO has also said that warmer temperatures are giving mosquitoes more time and territory to spread West Nile virus across Europe. The continent has experienced a record series of heatwaves this year.
The WHO said, “Warmer temperatures are giving mosquitoes more time and territory to spread the West Nile virus across Europe.”
Virus Also Detected in Horses and Wild Birds
The increase in human infections has been accompanied by additional reports of West Nile virus among horses and wild birds in the Netherlands.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has received 53 new reports of horses infected with West Nile virus since its previous update. These reports bring the total number of reported cases among horses in the country this year to 58.
The virus has also been detected in wild birds. There have been reports involving 23 dead birds and 10 live wild birds, bringing the total number of infected birds reported to 39 as of the latest update.
The common house mosquito can become infected after feeding on a bird carrying the virus. It can then transmit the infection to humans and other animals through a bite.
West Nile virus was first detected in the Netherlands in August 2020 during a Sanquin study involving blood donors. Cases have also increased in Greece and Italy.
The RIVM’s latest figures therefore include infections identified through both scientific research and hospital diagnoses, alongside the reported deaths and animal cases recorded across the country.
Nile Virus Cases Increase Across the Netherlands
The Netherlands has reported three deaths linked to Nile Virus infections as the number of cases rises to 18, raising concerns about the spread of mosquito-borne illness. Health authorities are monitoring the situation as more infections are identified.
Nile Virus is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. While many infected people may experience no symptoms, some can develop fever, headache, muscle aches, or other flu-like symptoms. In more serious cases, Nile Virus can affect the nervous system and cause severe illness.
Nile Virus and Public Health Concerns
The increase in reported cases highlights the importance of mosquito-bite prevention, particularly during periods of increased mosquito activity. Public health authorities commonly recommend using insect repellent, wearing clothing that covers exposed skin, and reducing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
