Terrifying outbreak of deadly West Nile fever grows in coronavirus-hit Spain as death toll hits 6
DEADLY West Nile fever has claimed its SIXTH fatality in Spain after spreading to yet another region.
The latest victim, a 72-year-old man from Cadiz, died in hospital from the deadly fever in the latest place to suffer an outbreak.
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Two other people have died from the virus spread by mosquitos in the area – an 87-year-old woman, and a man aged 59 – who is the youngest victim so far.
It brings the total number of fever cases to 55 in Andalusia.
Of these, 31 have been confirmed as Nile fever which can produce horrendous symptoms and is likened meningitis.
Meanwhile, the country is struggling with over 10,000 daily coronavirus cases.
The West Nile fever outbreak started in mid-August in the riverside towns of Coria del Río and La Puebla del Río – and then spread to parts of Seville city 25 miles away.
It then jumped another 65 miles to the coastal resort of Cadiz.
Health chiefs say it is one of the country's worst outbreaks of Nile fever and drones have taken to the air to disinfect regions where the transmitting mosquito is breeding.
KILLER VIRUS
Animals have also been affected, including birds and horses.
Two birds are reported to have died in zoological gardens in Cadiz whilst the infected horses are in the same region.
The regional government of Andalusia is spending nearly £100,000 on preventative measures.
An army of tractors has already been treating the riverside towns of Coria del Río and La Puebla del Río.
The outbreak has been described as "an extraordinary situation" and there are real fears it could spread to yet more parts of Spain and even to the holiday islands.
What is West Nile virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by mosquitoes and was discovered in Uganda in 1937.
Most people infected with the virus, around 80 per cent, show no symptoms at all.
However, some will experience flu-like symptoms including headaches and a fever.
In severe cases – less than one per cent – infected patients can go on to develop severe neurological problems including meningitis, encephalitis and paralysis, which can result in death.
Healthy people usually recover quickly and suffer little to no side effects.
Those aged over 50, or those with underlying medical conditions, are most at risk of serious complications.
In Coria del Río and La Puebla del Río, there has been massive fumigation of sports facilities, roads, squares, parks and river beds, with residents being urged to take all health precautions.
They've been told to stay indoors between dusk and dawn, use insect repellant and mosquito nets, turn off lights and keep all their homes clean, including swimming pools.
Nile virus is generally transmitted by mosquitoes that bite birds, which carry the virus and deposit it in both humans and horses.
A significant number of people do not have symptoms but it can lead to serious health problems and death.
According to data provided by the WHO, 20 per cent of those who become infected suffer symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, body pain, nausea and to a lesser extent, skin rashes or enlarged lymph nodes.
In its worst version, it can cause a neuroinvasive disease such as encephalitis, meninigitis or poliomyelitis.
This outbreak of the Nile virus is the largest that has been recorded in Andalusia and is attributed to the 30 per cent increase in mosquitoes in the wetlands of the Doñana National Park and the Guadalquivir river.
Andalusia's government says it is doing all it can to contain further spreads and will be working for the rest of the year on treatments, People's health, said a spokesman, was their main priority.
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