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Re: Turkey - West Nile Virus confirmed - 7 patients - 3 deaths
Three die of West Nile virus in Turkey
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
ISTANBUL -
The fatal West Nile virus, which has also been seen in northern Greece, has now been diagnosed in seven people in five Turkish provinces. Three have died from the disease, a Health Ministry official said Wednesday.
Two patients are still being treated for West Nile virus, which has killed 18 people in Greece so far this season, Mustafa Ertek, the head of the Health Ministry?s public-health center, said at a press conference Wednesday, adding that it was too early to talk about an epidemic.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which can transfer it to people, horses and other mammals. It can also be spread by blood transfusion, organ transplant or from mothers to babies during pregnancy or nursing.
Sixteen people were admitted to Manisa Public Hospital with complaints of high fever within an approximately two-week period starting Aug. 12. Six of them later died.
Doctors sent blood samples from the patients to the Health Ministry?s Refik Saydam Health Center in order to test for any signs of an epidemic. The Health Ministry had previously declared that the six deaths in Manisa were not related to West Nile virus.
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Three die of West Nile virus in Turkey
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
ISTANBUL -
The fatal West Nile virus, which has also been seen in northern Greece, has now been diagnosed in seven people in five Turkish provinces. Three have died from the disease, a Health Ministry official said Wednesday.
Two patients are still being treated for West Nile virus, which has killed 18 people in Greece so far this season, Mustafa Ertek, the head of the Health Ministry?s public-health center, said at a press conference Wednesday, adding that it was too early to talk about an epidemic.
The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which can transfer it to people, horses and other mammals. It can also be spread by blood transfusion, organ transplant or from mothers to babies during pregnancy or nursing.
Sixteen people were admitted to Manisa Public Hospital with complaints of high fever within an approximately two-week period starting Aug. 12. Six of them later died.
Doctors sent blood samples from the patients to the Health Ministry?s Refik Saydam Health Center in order to test for any signs of an epidemic. The Health Ministry had previously declared that the six deaths in Manisa were not related to West Nile virus.
read more
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