The RIVM has confirmed that one person has died in Utrecht as a result of complications caused by the West Nile virus.
Last week, it was announced that a blood donor from the region had tested positive for the virus. This was the first time since 2020 that a person from the Netherlands had contracted the virus here.
However, according to the RIVM, this news does not regard the same person.
A vulnerable person
While the RIVM does not want to reveal too much about the identity of the person out of respect for their family, a spokesperson did confirm to NOS that the person was someone over the age of 80 with underlying illnesses.
About 80% of people who contract West Nile virus experience no symptoms. However, vulnerable groups such as those over the age of 50, and people with compromised immune systems can develop more serious symptoms.
Second death in the Netherlands
The RIVM has also confirmed that a woman from Drenthe, who they suspected of passing from the virus, did indeed have the virus.
In her case, she had contracted the virus while on holiday in southeastern Europe, where her symptoms also started. She passed away last week.
This marks the second death due to West Nile virus that the RIVM has encountered this year.
Can’t be spread from one person to another
The RIVM also points out that it’s basically impossible for humans to spread the virus.
The virus is contracted when a mosquito bites an infected bird. It can then spread the infection to mammals such as horses and humans when it bites them.
However, once a human has symptoms, unless they suddenly have the ability to bite others, they cannot spread it to another person.
The RIVM also points out that the chances of someone contracting the virus in the Netherlands is very low, the chances of someone dying from it, even lower.
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