Ukraine is facing a serious new threat from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, a disease that has already become a problem in many countries and could now pose a threat to Ukrainians amid the ongoing war, Newsweek reports.
Since the beginning of July, 88 cases of West Nile fever have been registered in Ukraine, 11 people have died. This disease poses a serious threat, says Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine and epidemiologist Igor Kuzin.
West Nile fever is usually spread by mosquitoes that pick up the virus from infected birds. The virus causes symptoms such as aches, vomiting, rash, diarrhea, and headache. Outbreaks are usually located along bird migration routes, several of which pass through Ukraine.
There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for this disease, and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine estimates the mortality rate at 2-14%.
