Password: «Prevent contagion». With the arrival of the first warm weather , the guard is raised in the Oristano area to prevent insects from transmitting the West Nile virus and the Usutu Virus to animals and humans .
For this reason , ASL 5 has also launched an information campaign this year on how to defend oneself .
The Department of Hygiene and Health Prevention, directed by Dr. Maria Valentina Marras and the Animal Health Service, directed by Dr. Enrico Vacca, therefore sent an information note on viruses and activities to be implemented to all 88 municipal administrations in the province. field to avoid the spread of mosquitoes in the territories under its jurisdiction . Also involved are family doctors, free-choice paediatricians and social and healthcare facilities.
WEST NILE – The West Nile virus , transmissible from infected birds to humans or other animals through mosquito bites, develops asymptomatically in 80 percent of cases , and causes flu-like symptoms in 20 percent (fever , headache, nausea and vomiting) and in a percentage of less than 1 percent it causes encephalitis or meningoencephalitis.
USUTU VIRUS – The Usutu Virus , less well known than Nile Fever, is also capable of causing both significant mortality among populations of some bird species and symptoms in humans , although the ability to induce neuro-invasive clinical forms to date, it seems to be limited to a few sporadic reports. This virus is also transmitted between birds and mammals via infected mosquitoes (especially of the Culex genus). The Usutu virus disease can cause asymptomatic forms, influenza forms and, in the most serious but very rare cases, meningo-encephalitis in humans.
THE VADEMECUM – Doctor Marras recalls some fundamental rules to prevent contagion from the two viruses: «First of all, it is necessary , where mosquito larvae proliferate. For this reason it is necessary to frequently empty flower saucers, buckets, tires and barrels; change the water in pet bowls often; keep paddling pools empty or cover them when not in use; treat manholes 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 collects with airtight lids, sheets or mosquito nets. To protect yourself from bites, it is then advisable , use , avoid staying in areas where there are artificial lakes and stagnant water, such as gardens and parks, particularly at dusk and at night, when mosquitoes are more active." – Doctor Anna Paola Corda, director of the Animal Health Service of ASL 5, recalled: «When a citizen finds a dead bird, it is necessary for him to contact the ASL of Oristano or to present himself directly at our offices bringing us the dead bird. , previously collected with a pair of gloves. However, I want to remind you that . Therefore there is no point in creating false alarms. Only mosquitoes are the vector of this disease." - Information material on Nile Fever and on the correct behavior to be implemented to prevent contagion is available on the old website of the ASL 5 of Oristano at the address www.asloristano.it in the "Topics" section and in the "Nile Fever" subsection .
