Paulilatino's horse tested positive for the West Nile virus is " in the recovery and healing phase ". The animal has developed « neurological symptoms », but is now better and the situation is under control», says Enrico Vacca, head of the animal health sector of the Asl 5 of Oristano.

«We remind horse owners - continues the doctor - that there is a vaccine to prevent animals from being infected by the West Nile virus and that the same virus cannot be transmitted from horses to humans, but the infection occurs only through the vector of mosquitoes".

After the verification of the contagion, the Municipality of Paulilatino, on the indication of the health company, immediately put in place all the prevention and control measures to avoid further spread of the virus and possible infections to humans.

In August , a 72-year-old from Siamanna tested positive for Nile fever and is still hospitalized in the infectious disease department of the Sassari hospital , his conditions unchanged. In July, a group of mosquitoes captured by a trap in Torregrande and two crows shot down by a hunter in Solarussa tested positive. West Nile affected eight people in the Oristano area last year, four of whom died.

The virus, transmissible from infected birds to humans or other animals through mosquito bites, gives rise to asymptomatic forms in 80 percent of cases, causes flu-like symptoms in 20 percent (fever, headache, nausea and vomiting) and in less than 1 percent causes encephalitis or meningoencephalitis.

Maria Valentina Marras , director of the Public Health and Hygiene Service of Asl 5, reminded citizens of the precautions to be taken to avoid contagion of the virus : «It is important that the elderly and frail in particular protect themselves by adopting a series of precautions. In the first place it is necessary to avoid stagnant water, where mosquito larvae proliferate. For this it is necessary to frequently empty saucers of flowers, buckets, tires, barrels; change the water in pet bowls often; keep paddling pools empty or cover them when not in use; treat manhole covers and rainwater drainage wells, drainage and stagnation areas with larvicidal products; check that the gutters are clean and not blocked; cover the cisterns and containers where rainwater is collected with airtight lids, sheets or mosquito nets. To defend yourself from bites, it is also recommended to screen doors and windows with mosquito nets, use skin repellents to keep insects away, avoid staying in areas where there are artificial lakes and stagnant water, such as gardens and parks, especially at dusk and at night, when the mosquitoes are most active.'
(Unioneonline/L)

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