(CNN Spanish) - Spanish health authorities confirmed that 12 of the 19 cases of viral meningoencephalitis reported this week in Seville, in the Andalusian community, in southern Spain, tested positive for West Nile fever, a virus transmitted by the mosquito bite that can sometimes be fatal.
17 people are hospitalized for meningoencephalitis, 7 of them in intensive care, according to the statement released by the Ministry of Health and Families of the Junta de Andalucía.
Another group of samples is under study.
The cases occurred in towns near marshy areas of the Guadalquivir River, which runs through the city of Seville.
The authorities activated the disease alert protocol, which implies the active search for new infections. Preventive measures such as fumigation are also being applied to reduce mosquito breeding sites in affected areas.
This new epidemiological alert arises amid the outbreak of covid-19 cases that keeps Spain as the country with the highest number of infections in Western Europe, with more than 342,813 infections, among which there are 28,617 deaths, according to data from John University. Hopkins.
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What is West Nile virus?
It is an infectious disease that was first isolated in 1937 in the West Nile district of Uganda, Africa, hence its name, according to the World Health Organization. It is transmitted by mosquito bites and affects humans, but also animals such as birds and horses.
There is no vaccine to prevent the disease and its and treatment is through palliative drugs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States.
The CDC further indicates that the majority of people, between 70 and 80%, may have no symptoms if they contract the disease.
Severe symptoms, which can lead to meningitis and encephalitis, affect less than 1% of those infected; About 10% of them may die, the CDC says.
“Most people with this type of illness make a full recovery. However, fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months, "the CDC notes.
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