Six West Nile virus cases confirmed in Cyprus, one death reported
Cyprus has confirmed six West Nile virus infections, including one death, while two further suspected cases are under investigation.
Nicosia, Cyprus. Six people have been infected with West Nile virus in Cyprus, the health ministry said on Thursday, while two suspected cases remain under investigation. Three patients are being treated in hospital and an elderly patient with an underlying health condition has died.
Local transmission
None of the patients had recently travelled, indicating that the infections were locally acquired through mosquito bites.
The ministry said West Nile virus cannot be transmitted directly from person to person and is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Containment measures
The health ministry said it was continuing to monitor the situation closely and was taking measures to contain the spread of the virus.
These include tracking cases, carrying out mosquito-control spraying around the homes of infected people and identifying nearby water sources where mosquitoes may be breeding.
The ministry said it expected one or two additional cases to be confirmed during the day.
First case
The first case was confirmed in mid-August, when a 74-year-old man tested positive for the virus and was admitted to the intensive care unit at Nicosia general hospital.
As of Tuesday, the ministry had confirmed four cases. Health ministry deputy director Elizavet Constantinou said at the time that the situation remained under control, as infections had not led to a significant increase in hospitalisations.
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