Since the beginning of the year, 69 cases of West Nile fever have been recorded in Ukraine, of which 41 cases were confirmed in August. The largest number of patients were found in Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv regions and in the capital, as reported by Deputy Minister of Health and Chief State Sanitary Doctor Ihor Kuzin on the air of the telethon.
West Nile fever is a dangerous disease that was first discovered in Africa in 1937 and now circulates around the world. The main carriers of the virus are birds. Ukraine, having several migration routes of migratory birds, is constantly faced with this infection.
Ihor Kuzin noted that Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv regions and Kyiv are the leaders in terms of the number of diseases. Protection against West Nile fever is possible only through prevention of mosquito bites.
In June 2024, 17 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of West Nile fever were treated at the Saint Michael Clinical Hospital of Kyiv. Valentyna Ginzburg, director of the Department of Health of the KMDA, confirmed this information.
In Ukraine, cases of West Nile fever are registered mainly in the summer-autumn period. Unfortunately, the first death from this disease has already been registered in Cherkasy region: a 65-year-old resident of the region died in a Kyiv medical facility, where the final diagnosis was made.
It is important to note that there is currently no vaccine to prevent West Nile fever, so the most effective way to protect yourself is to avoid mosquito bites.
