West Nile in Romania: 117 cases and 7 deaths reported by INSP this season

The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) has published a report on West Nile virus infection cases recorded in Romania this season. According to the report from the National Centre for Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases (CNSCBT), 117 cases were reported between 3 June and 30 September, of which 105 were confirmed and 12 considered probable.

Seven deaths were recorded during the same period. All of the deceased were elderly and had additional underlying medical conditions (comorbidities).

Most affected age groups

The age distribution shows that the most affected individuals were those aged between 60 and 69, with 32 cases, followed by the 70–79 age group with 26 cases, and the 50–59 age group with 22 cases. A further 14 cases were reported among people aged 80 or over, eight cases in the 40–49 age group, seven cases each in the 20–29 and 30–39 age groups, and a single case in the 15–19 age group.

Of all patients, 50 were women, and 73 cases were reported in urban areas.

Distribution by county

The highest number of cases occurred in Bucharest – 42. This was followed by Ilfov county (12 cases), Giurgiu (11), Călărași and Ialomița (seven each), and Brăila (five cases).

• Teleorman – 4 cases
• Galați, Prahova, Olt – 3 cases each
• Argeș, Cluj, Constanța, Iași, Suceava – 2 cases each
• Bihor, Botoșani, Buzău, Dâmbovița, Dolj, Mureș, Satu Mare, Vaslui, Vrancea – 1 case each

In Harghita county, one case was reported involving a person who had been infected abroad, but the case was attributed to the county of residence.

Recommended protective measures

Specialists recommend reducing exposure to mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved clothing and long trousers, using repellents and insecticides inside and around the home, and fitting protective screens to windows.

It is also recommended to remove any containers in which stagnant water may collect, drain puddles near households, and dispose of household waste properly, in order to limit the breeding grounds available to mosquitoes.