In the laboratory of the scientific institute of food safety, animal health and environment “Bior”, the first case in Latvia was discovered when a chicken hawk died of West Nile fever virus infection.
The West Nile virus was detected in a sample of the bird’s carcass, which was sent to determine the cause of death.
The transmission of West Nile fever occurs through mosquitoes from infected birds, explains “Bior”.
In birds, the course and clinical signs of West Nile infection can vary from mild, non-specific clinical signs such as general weakness, loss of appetite, to non-neurological signs such as incoordination, leg paresis or seizures, which may result in death.
West Nile fever is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects birds and horses, and less commonly other animal species.
The host of the virus is birds, but it can also infect humans. It is important that the infection does not spread from person to person.
In most cases, West Nile virus causes a mild acute fever, a flu-like illness. In rare cases, symptoms of encephalitis develop.
The geographically closest cases of West Nile fever to Latvia were found in Poland.
As a result of climate change, infectious diseases and their vectors are gradually moving from the south and spreading to our latitudes.
The “Bior” laboratory has informed the Food and Veterinary Service about the detected case of infection.
