The Public Health Institute has announced measures to stop the spread of the deadly disease.
After the recent second death from the West Nile fever in Croatia, experts from the Public Health Institute “Andrija Štampar” have warned citizens to protect themselves from the mosquitoes which carry the dangerous virus, reports Index.hr on September 19, 2018.
The infected mosquitoes, most commonly from the Culex genus, are responsible for the transmission of the West Nile virus and are commonly found in this part of the world, particularly during the summer months. The virus is kept in nature in a cycle between mosquitoes and birds, which are the primary reservoirs of the virus. The infected mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans, horses and other mammals with a sting, but the virus cannot be transmitted between two humans.
So far, two people have died in Croatia from the disease. About ten days ago, a man from Beli Manastir, who had a chronic illness, lost his life. Over the weekend, an 84-year-old man died at a Zagreb hospital. According to official information, there are four other patients in the hospital who are in the coma and are on life-support.
A six-year-old girl from Vukovar has also been infected, but her condition is not life-threatening.
The West Nile fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, and the largest number of infected people have been recorded in the northwest and eastern parts of Croatia, mostly in Osijek-Baranja County, and in the area of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County.
Mosquitoes develop in water. Depending on the species, they can develop in both clean and polluted waters, different natural habitats and habitats which are under the human influence. The number of mosquitoes is a consequence of the presence of conditions required for their development, primarily the right amount of water and the right temperature.
Natural areas where mosquitoes develop are floodplains, water canals, ponds created after rain, still waters without natural enemies of mosquito larvae, and the water in tree trunks. Artificial areas are open containers with water in backyards and gardens, various objects in backyards and in the environment where rainwater gathers, open-air tents, basins and ponds, drains, cemetery vases, and many other similar accumulations of water.
While dealing with the mosquitoes, the City of Zagreb does everything in its power, but the measures are not enough. With their daily activities and behaviour, citizens can significantly influence and contribute to reducing the number of mosquitoes in their surroundings.
The development of mosquitoes in the environment is happening continually. During the summer months, the mosquito development cycle lasts only 4-7 days, so constant care is needed to prevent their development. The most effective way to fight mosquitoes is to find and remove mosquito development sites.
Translated from Index.hr.
