Awaiting the First Locally-Acquired Human West Nile Virus Infection in Belgium

Abstract

West Nile virus is an arthropod-borne Flavivirus transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Birds are the primary hosts. However, the virus can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Human infection is mostly asymptomatic, but 1 in 5 may develop illness: West Nile fever or severe West Nile neuroinvasive disease. Although the virus and disease are spreading in Europe, no locally acquired infections have been reported in Belgium. However, there is a real risk that West Nile virus infections will occur in Belgium in the near future. Because children can become infected and ill, pediatricians must be aware of the disease. In this manuscript, we describe the symptoms and epidemiology of West Nile virus disease.