“West Nile Fever” Outbreak in Kerala

“West Nile Fever” Outbreak in Kerala

GS-3: Health

(IAS/UPPCS)

08/05/2024

Source: TH

Why in news:

Recently, the state government has issued an alert regarding West Nile fever in Kerala.

  • West Nile fever has been confirmed during medical tests in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts.

About West Nile Fever:

  • West Nile fever is a fatal disease usually found in birds.
  • This disease reaches mosquitoes through the dead bodies of birds. And due to the bite of infected mosquitoes, this disease starts spreading from one human to another.
  • It is a disease spread by different species, with the primary species being Culex pipiens.
  • West Nile virus can remain in a person's body for a few days to several weeks. 80 percent of people infected with this virus do not show any symptoms.
  • It causes some flu-like symptoms and in rare cases can cause permanent neurological damage.
  • In some cases, West Nile fever can cause neurological problems like encephalitis i.e. inflammation in the brain and meningitis i.e. inflammation in the spinal cord, which can even lead to death.

Symptoms of West Nile Fever

  • According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this fever has the following symptoms:
  • Having fever
  • Vomiting,
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive sweating,
  • Having headache,
  • Muscle pain,
  • Dizziness,
  • Weak memory,
  • Nausea,
  • Red rash on the body.

Background of this disease:

  • West Nile fever was first spread in Uganda in 1937 through the bite of a mosquito of the Culex genus.
  • In 2019, a six-year-old boy from Malappuram died of this disease.
  • At the same time, in 2022, a 47-year-old man from Thrissur district died of West Nile fever.

Prevention and Treatment:

  • There is no medicine or vaccine available against West Nile virus. Treatment includes management of symptoms and supportive care.
  • Avoiding mosquito bites is the best way of protection. Wearing clothes covering the body, using mosquito nets, applying mosquito repellent ointments, using mosquito nets and electric mosquito repellent devices are effective. Infection can be prevented by destroying the mosquito source. Do not self-medicate as this may complicate the disease.
  • West Nile fever is curable if treated promptly.

Mosquito Borne Diseases:

  • Mosquito-borne diseases are diseases caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • Approximately 700 million people contract mosquito-borne diseases each year, resulting in more than ten million deaths.
  • Diseases spread by mosquitoes include malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, filariasis, tularemia, dirofilariasis, Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and Zika fever.
  • In January 2024, an Australian research group proved that Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative pathogen of Buruli ulcer, is spread by mosquitoes. This is the first case of mosquito-borne transmission of a bacterial disease.

National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP):

  • It is a comprehensive program that was launched by the Government of India in 2003-04 to prevent and control vector-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis (JE), dengue, kala-azar, lymphatic filariasis, malaria and chikungunya.
  • The program is implemented by States/Union Territories, which provide technical and financial assistance in the form of cash and goods under the National Health Mission (NHM) umbrella scheme.

Way forward:

Improved sanitation and infrastructure:

Efficient waste collection and disposal can eliminate breeding sites in urban areas.

  • Proper drainage systems can prevent stagnant water accumulation which is a major source of mosquito breeding.
  • Providing clean water storage solutions to communities can reduce reliance on open containers that attract mosquitoes.

Integrated Vector Management (IVM):

  • There is a need to implement a comprehensive approach to address mosquito related challenges by accelerating the implementation of the National Program for Vector Borne Disease Control which includes biological control, pesticide use and environmental management. Various strategies are included.

Community engagement and education:

  • Promote public awareness and participation in mosquito control through educational campaigns, emphasizing preventive measures and encouraging community participation.

Conclusion:

The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in India may be better testing and surveillance, which will help doctors reach patients quickly to prevent complications.

Other states should adopt the Kerala model of increasing surveillance to prevent the spread of diseases.

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Main Exam Questions:

What is West Nile Fever? Discuss the way forward for prevention of mosquito-borne diseases in India.