Information about West Nile virus (WNV) based on material provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control:
Symptoms: About 20% of WNV infections can lead to West Nile fever with symptoms like headache, fever, and fatigue, while less than 1% may result in West Nile neuroinvasive disease affecting the nervous system.
Risk factors: advanced age, tumours in the brain, high blood pressure, blood disorders, diabetes, kidney diseases, alcohol abuse and genetic factors. The mortality rate among people who develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease can be up to 17%.
Spreading: WNV is primarily spread to humans by infected mosquitoes, which get the virus from birds. The virus can also spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, from mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and through laboratory exposure.
Treatment: There is no specific treatment for the virus, only supportive care.
Personal protective measures: the use of mosquito nets, sleeping in screened or air-conditioned rooms, wearing clothing that covers most of the body and using mosquito repellent.
LINK to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control West Nile virus infection:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-virus-infection
LINK to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control surveillance of West Nile virus:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc
Information about Dengue virus (DENV) based on material provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control:
Symptoms: Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. In some instances, the disease may escalate to severe conditions, such as dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.
Risks for people: Dengue outbreaks are occasionally reported in southern Europe, where they are closely monitored. Globally, dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease, with tens of millions of cases annually, resulting in about 20,000 to 25,000 deaths, particularly affecting children.
Spreading: Dengue is a virus spread mainly through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes transmit the virus by biting infected individuals and passing it on to others.
Treatment: Dengue has no specific treatment. Early diagnosis is essential for providing appropriate supportive care and implementing disease control measures in the affected area.
There are two dengue vaccines mainly intended for regions where the disease is common, not in mainland Europe.
Personal protective measures: use mosquito repellent, sleep under nets, stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms, and wear covering clothing.
LINK to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Dengue fever:
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/dengue
LINK to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Dengue worldwide overview:
One Health approach:
One Health is a proactive approach that aims to balance and optimize the health of people, animals, plants, and their shared environment, recognizing and embracing their interconnection for a healthier future and unites professionals across disciplines to address complex health threats in an integrated manner.
Population growth and expansion have increased interactions among humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. Climate change, deforestation, and intensive farming harm wildlife habitats, while globalization aids the spread of zoonoses, infections that transfer between animals and humans. COVID-19 is the latest example of a major pandemic caused by a zoonotic pathogen.
Over 60% of new infectious diseases that threaten human health originate in animals, with their frequency and severity increasing significantly over time.
One Health recognizes that the health of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems are interconnected. This approach is essential for preventing and responding to global threats, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
LINK to European Commission website: https://health.ec.europa.eu/one-health/overview_en
LINK to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/one-health
LINK to Word Health Organization website: https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health#tab=tab_1
What InFlaMe proposes:
InFlaMe aims to improve the EU’s ability to fight DENV and WNV threats and to support the development of effective emergency plans for these threats.
The InFlaMe consortium investigates the host (human) factors leading to severe diseases and, based on the information gained, develops treatment solutions. Moreover, InFlaMe will also carry out systematic One-Health-based surveillance of the infections to help in developing emergency plans.