RT Journal Article
T1 Unprecedented increase of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease, Spain, summer 2020.
A1 García San Miguel Rodríguez-Alarcón, Lucía
A1 Fernández-Martínez, Beatriz
A1 Sierra Moros, María José
A1 Vázquez, Ana
A1 Julián Pachés, Paula
A1 García Villacieros, Elena
A1 Gómez Martín, María Belén
A1 Figuerola Borras, Jordi
A1 Lorusso, Nicola
A1 Ramos Aceitero, Julian Mauro
A1 Moro, Elena
A1 de Celis, Aránzazu
A1 Oyonarte, Salvador
A1 Mahillo, Beatriz
A1 Romero González, Luis José
A1 Sánchez-Seco, María Paz
A1 Suárez Rodríguez, Berta
A1 Ameyugo Catalán, Ulises
A1 Ruiz Contreras, Santiago
A1 Pérez-Olmeda, Mayte
A1 Simón Soria, Fernando
K1 Spain
K1 WNV
K1 West Nile fever
K1 West Nile virus
K1 epidemiology
K1 surveillance
K1 vector-borne infections
K1 viral infections
AB Cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) in Spain increased in summer 2020. Here we report on this increase and the local, regional and national public health measures taken in response. We analysed data from regional surveillance networks and the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network, both for human and animal West Nile virus (WNV) infection. During the 2020 season, a total of 77 human cases of WNV infection (median age 65 years; 60% males) were detected in the south-west of Spain; 72 (94%) of these cases developed WNND, presenting as meningoencephalitis, seven of which were fatal. In the previous two decades, only six human cases of WNND were detected in Spain. Reduced activities for vector control this season, together with other factors, might have contributed to the massive increase. Public health measures including vector control, campaigns to raise awareness among physicians and the general population, and interventions to ensure the safety of donations of blood products, organs, cells and tissues were effective to reduce transmission. Going forward, maintenance of vector control activities and an update of the vector-borne diseases response plan in Spain is needed.
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/17791
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/17791
LA en
DS RISalud
RD Apr 19, 2025