First Human Case of West Nile Virus Recorded in Malaga Province
In a first for Malaga province, a man in Marbella has tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNV), a disease primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. Until this incident, the virus had only been detected in animals within the province.
Details of the Infected Individual
The infected individual, a resident of Marbella, owns a piece of land in the municipality of Guaro. The Junta de Andalucía’s latest WNV update reveals that he began exhibiting symptoms a few months ago. However, it was only recently that he tested positive for the virus. His initial test, conducted at the Guadalhorce hospital, had returned negative results.
Source of Infection Identified
An analysis of water samples collected from the municipality of Guaro confirmed that this was likely the location where the man contracted the virus. Despite the positive diagnosis, the man is reportedly in good health, showing no apparent symptoms, and leading a normal life.
No Human-to-Human Transmission
It’s important to note that humans cannot transmit the West Nile virus to one another, unlike horses. The infected man, therefore, poses no risk to others in terms of spreading the virus.
Next Steps and Precautionary Measures
Following the man’s diagnosis, the Guaro town hall is set to meet with the Diputación de Málaga provincial authority and the regional ministry of health to discuss the next course of action. The West Nile virus, while usually causing mild symptoms, can lead to more severe symptoms in rare cases. As such, authorities are maintaining their usual monitoring and prevention measures in areas where mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus may be present.
