We’ve been following this situation waiting to see a definitive rather than supposed origin of this illness in Sevilla, but now it’s confirmed: The West-Nile Virus.

A total of 21 people have been diagnosed with Meningoencephalitis in the Coria del Río and La Puebla del Río areas of Sevilla, seven of whom are in the ICU. There are a further 26 people ‘suspected’ of being infected, according to the Junta de Andalucia Health Board.

Quoting from Wikipedia: “In humans, West Nile virus can cause a disease known as West Nile fever. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 80% of infected people have few or no symptoms, around 20% of people develop mild symptoms (such as fever, headache, vomiting, or a rash), and less than 1% of people develop severe symptoms (such as encephalitis or meningitis with associated neck stiffness, confusion, or seizures). …The risk of death among patients with nervous system symptoms is about 10%. Recovery may take weeks to months.”

It was last Thursday that the cause of the illness was the West Nile Virus and the most common cause of infection in humans is by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Obviously, patients can become infected through blood transfusions, for example.

As soon as the origin was confirmed the authorities began spraying insecticide in public parks and gardens in the two affected towns and surrounding townships such as Isla Mayor and Dos Hermanas.

Animals can also become infected, especially horses. In fact one case involving a horse was detected in Gibraleón in the neighbouring province of Huelva.

With climate change the spread northwards of the disease has been detected in Europe in recent years, with outbreaks in Greece, for example: (28 infected, six deaths) Italy (two infected) and Romania (two infected).

(News: Coria de Río, Sevilla, Andalucia)