Overview
- The Bavarian health authority LGL confirmed a West Nile virus case in Landkreis Aschaffenburg and investigators concluded a local mosquito bite was the most likely source.
- This is Bavaria’s first human infection attributed to mosquito transmission and the state’s second in-country case overall, following an earlier infection of a veterinarian during a bird autopsy.
- LGL is working closely with the Aschaffenburg health office on surveillance and planning, and reminds providers that human infections are notifiable under the Infection Protection Act.
- Germany typically reports 4 to 35 domestically acquired cases per year, mostly in eastern states, while most detections in residents relate to travel abroad.
- About 80% of infections cause no symptoms, around 20% bring mild, flu-like illness, severe disease is rare especially in older or comorbid patients, there is no human-to-human transmission, and there is no specific treatment or vaccine so bite prevention is advised.