Exotic disease in Hungary: no cure, no vaccine, extremely dangerous for the elderly and children

The affected middle-aged lady had not travelled abroad, nor had any relatives or close acquaintances who visited distant countries to catch this exotic disease. She was infected locally, allegedly by a native Hungarian mosquito species, which may have become a carrier after feeding on the blood of predatory birds carrying the West Nile fever virus.

Why is West Nile fever dangerous?

The West Nile fever is considered an exotic disease in Hungary, although it was first identified not along the Nile River but in Uganda back in 1937. However, it caused an epidemic in Egypt in 1950, which gave rise to the common name. Nowadays, partly due to the impact of climate change, it has become quite widespread across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Anna Nagy, a biologist at the National Public Health and Medical Officer Service (NNGK), told RTL Klub that 80% of infected individuals show no symptoms or only experience flu-like symptoms. However, in 20-30% of cases—especially among the elderly and children—the illness may take a more severe course, manifesting with the following symptoms:

• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• High fever
• Intense headache
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Loss of consciousness

Without proper treatment, the disease can be fatal; statistics indicate that 8-10% of severe cases result in death.

• Mosquitoes in Hungary may spread extremely dangerous tropical diseases

Decline in the number of exotic disease sufferers

In Hungary, infection cases have been recorded since 2004, according to RTL Klub, with the statistics showing a thankfully improving trend: 200 severe cases were registered in 2018, dropping to 100 last year, and this year, only 14 cases have been reported, which is very encouraging. It is important to note that only patients with serious neurological symptoms are included in these statistics.

The latest weekly infectious disease report from the NNGK mentions a 45-year-old woman from Csongrád-Csanád County who was infected in Hungary, probably by a common house mosquito (Culex pipiens). This species is native to Hungary and contracts the pathogen by feeding on predatory birds.

• Hundreds of people fall ill in Hungarian town due to a mysterious disease: investigation ongoing

Transmission can occur between humans in special cases

There is no cure or vaccine against the West Nile virus. Our only defence is to avoid becoming mosquito prey.

Fortunately, it does not spread from human to human (or horse to human), except in cases of blood donation or organ transplantation.