![]() This is a safe environment in which researchers are optimally protected and from which the virus cannot escape. Research on the transmission of these viruses by mosquitoes is conducted in a biosafety level 3 (BS元) laboratory in Wageningen. Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) is stand-by to test animals for possible infection with West Nile virus. The One Health PACThas enabled Wageningen University & Research to expand its research on West Nile virus together with other research institutes. This increases the chance that the virus is transmitted when the mosquito bites. This is when large numbers of mosquitoes are present, while the elevated temperatures cause the virus to amplify rapidly within the mosquito. The fact that most infections occur towards the end of the summer is noteworthy. ![]() It has now become apparent that the Dutch mosquitoes are very capable of spreading West Nile virus. Together, they study the susceptibility of Dutch mosquitoes to the virus. The Laboratory of Virology and the Laboratory of Entomology in Wageningen have been studying the West Nile virus for many years. The Usutu outbreak may be considered a prelude to the spread of West Nile virus. This resulted in high blackbird ( Turdus merula) mortality. In 2016, the first Usutu case was identified in a bird in the Netherlands, after which it spread with an astounding speed. Usutu is closely related to the WNV and is transmitted by the same mosquitoes. Before the West Nile virus was discovered in the Netherlands, we saw the Usutu virus, which mainly infects birds. A few years ago, there was an increase in the number of cases of humans who were infected in Germany, both in horses and in humans. Over the last years, however, it has shown a marked advance in the north-western direction. West Nile virus has been present in our continent for several decades, in particular in South-Eastern Europe. The question remains to what degree the virus may already have spread unnoticed. Thanks to the use of sensitive PCR tests, the virus has now been identified in the Netherlands in both birds and humans. Several years ago, antibodies were discovered in birds, indicating a spread of WNV in the Netherlands, but the virus itself was never found. It has been suspected for years that West Nile virus could reach the Netherlands since mosquitoes in the Netherlands are capable of transmitting the disease, and local birds are susceptible to the virus. What is the situation in the Netherlands? It is therefore important to prevent mosquito bites as much as possible. In some cases, however, WNV infection can become severe and cause encephalitis, which may be fatal. Infected humans are generally asymptomatic or have mild flu-like symptoms and a rash. The transmission always requires an infected mosquito. ![]() Human-to-human infection is not possible. West Nile virus is transmitted between mosquitoes and birds but may occasionally also infect humans or other animals, such as horses.
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