Growing numbers of West Nile virus infection cases, fueled by climate change, are sparking fears among citizens and healthcare providers in Europe. A Clinical Insight in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, published by Elsevier, aims to raise awareness and equip medical professionals with the knowledge needed to recognize and manage this emerging disease to avoid further spread and serious health consequences, especially for vulnerable individuals.
“Climate change is affecting our health by allowing disease-carrying insects to spread into new areas. We are now seeing a growing number of illnesses like West Nile virus infection in places they were not found before, including in Europe. Since the number of West Nile virus cases is on the rise, it is now more important than ever to increase our knowledge to recognize, diagnose, and treat this emerging disease,” says lead author Emanuele Durante-Mangoni, MD, PhD, University of Campania ‘L. Vanvitelli,’ and AORN Ospedali dei Colli, Naples, Italy.
The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can attack the nervous system and brain. It was first identified in 1937 west of the Nile River in what is now Uganda. It is a highly variable virus for which no human vaccine is currently available. However, identification of the disease can facilitate identifying areas of spread where dedicated interventions, largely mosquito eradication, can be performed in an attempt to avoid further spread and related morbidity.
Dr. Durante-Mangoni explains, “The insect gets infected after biting birds that carry the virus. Seasonality is also linked to bird migration patterns, another natural phenomenon affected by climate change. After West Nile virus infection, most humans show no symptoms (80%) or develop mild symptoms of a viral illness, typically characterized by the abrupt onset of fever.”
It is also associated with headache, malaise, anorexia, myalgia, eye pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. In some at-risk individuals, such as the elderly, those who are frail, or have other health issues, the disease can progress to a more serious form, often involving the brain, and can possibly have severe or even fatal consequences.”
The authors’ goal is to help prepare the scientific community to deal with the expected increase in the incidence of West Nile virus cases by outlining the virology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and the current suggested management of this emerging disease. They advise that efforts should concentrate on:
- Working towards developing a vaccine for human use that can protect those at higher risk of complications and/or progression.
- Trying to identify an antiviral agent that can block the virus at an early stage, before neurological involvement occurs.
“Clinicians need to become skilled enough to identify the illness and make a rapid and accurate diagnosis and also be aware of endemic/epidemic areas of West Nile virus diffusion, to speed up the diagnostic path in frail and immunocompromised patients who remain at risk for an ominous outcome,” emphasizes Dr. Durante-Mangoni. “The ultimate strategy would be vaccination of subjects at risk. Despite efforts, as yet no vaccine has reached an advanced stage of clinical development, but there is hope for the future.”
News
Does being infected or vaccinated first influence COVID-19 immunity?
A new study analyzing the immune response to COVID-19 in a Catalan cohort of health workers sheds light on an important question: does it matter whether a person was first infected or first vaccinated? [...]
We May Never Know if AI Is Conscious, Says Cambridge Philosopher
As claims about conscious AI grow louder, a Cambridge philosopher argues that we lack the evidence to know whether machines can truly be conscious, let alone morally significant. A philosopher at the University of [...]
AI Helped Scientists Stop a Virus With One Tiny Change
Using AI, researchers identified one tiny molecular interaction that viruses need to infect cells. Disrupting it stopped the virus before infection could begin. Washington State University scientists have uncovered a method to interfere with a key [...]
Deadly Hospital Fungus May Finally Have a Weakness
A deadly, drug-resistant hospital fungus may finally have a weakness—and scientists think they’ve found it. Researchers have identified a genetic process that could open the door to new treatments for a dangerous fungal infection [...]
Fever-Proof Bird Flu Variant Could Fuel the Next Pandemic
Bird flu viruses present a significant risk to humans because they can continue replicating at temperatures higher than a typical fever. Fever is one of the body’s main tools for slowing or stopping viral [...]
What could the future of nanoscience look like?
Society has a lot to thank for nanoscience. From improved health monitoring to reducing the size of electronics, scientists’ ability to delve deeper and better understand chemistry at the nanoscale has opened up numerous [...]
Scientists Melt Cancer’s Hidden “Power Hubs” and Stop Tumor Growth
Researchers discovered that in a rare kidney cancer, RNA builds droplet-like hubs that act as growth control centers inside tumor cells. By engineering a molecular switch to dissolve these hubs, they were able to halt cancer [...]
Platelet-inspired nanoparticles could improve treatment of inflammatory diseases
Scientists have developed platelet-inspired nanoparticles that deliver anti-inflammatory drugs directly to brain-computer interface implants, doubling their effectiveness. Scientists have found a way to improve the performance of brain-computer interface (BCI) electrodes by delivering anti-inflammatory drugs directly [...]
After 150 years, a new chapter in cancer therapy is finally beginning
For decades, researchers have been looking for ways to destroy cancer cells in a targeted manner without further weakening the body. But for many patients whose immune system is severely impaired by chemotherapy or radiation, [...]
Older chemical libraries show promise for fighting resistant strains of COVID-19 virus
SARS‑CoV‑2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to mutate, with some newer strains becoming less responsive to current antiviral treatments like Paxlovid. Now, University of California San Diego scientists and an international team of [...]
Lower doses of immunotherapy for skin cancer give better results, study suggests
According to a new study, lower doses of approved immunotherapy for malignant melanoma can give better results against tumors, while reducing side effects. This is reported by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in the Journal of the National [...]
Researchers highlight five pathways through which microplastics can harm the brain
Microplastics could be fueling neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, with a new study highlighting five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain. More than 57 million people live with dementia, [...]
Tiny Metal Nanodots Obliterate Cancer Cells While Largely Sparing Healthy Tissue
Scientists have developed tiny metal-oxide particles that push cancer cells past their stress limits while sparing healthy tissue. An international team led by RMIT University has developed tiny particles called nanodots, crafted from a metallic compound, [...]
Gold Nanoclusters Could Supercharge Quantum Computers
Researchers found that gold “super atoms” can behave like the atoms in top-tier quantum systems—only far easier to scale. These tiny clusters can be customized at the molecular level, offering a powerful, tunable foundation [...]
A single shot of HPV vaccine may be enough to fight cervical cancer, study finds
WASHINGTON -- A single HPV vaccination appears just as effective as two doses at preventing the viral infection that causes cervical cancer, researchers reported Wednesday. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is very common and spread [...]
New technique overcomes technological barrier in 3D brain imaging
Scientists at the Swiss Light Source SLS have succeeded in mapping a piece of brain tissue in 3D at unprecedented resolution using X-rays, non-destructively. The breakthrough overcomes a long-standing technological barrier that had limited [...]
