In Serbia, the West Nile virus killed a woman; It was also detected in 20 other people in Belgrade and other parts of the country, medical sources said on Tuesday. Health Minister Slavica Djukić-Dejanović assures that there is no danger of an epidemic.
The presence of the virus was confirmed in July and August in 21 people, one of whom, a woman, died, said Olga Dulović from the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases. The woman, who was from the city of Panczevo, died in a hospital in Belgrade.
People infected with the virus were hospitalized. They are between 52 and 82 years old, most of them have not traveled to countries where West Nile virus cases have been reported, added Dulović.
Serbian authorities have not announced whether they intend to drop pesticides from planes that would neutralize the mosquitoes that carry the virus. For their part, medical services called on residents to protect themselves from these insects, e.g. by equipping windows with mosquito nets.
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. The main symptoms of the disease are headache, muscle pain, fever and nausea. Infection can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which in turn can lead to paralysis, coma, and finally death.
West Nile fever emerged two years ago in Turkey, Greece, Romania and Our Country, where there were a total of more than a dozen deaths. (PAP)
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