Fourth case of West Nile virus detected in Northern Cyprus — in Famagusta

The TRNC Ministry of Health has confirmed the fourth case of West Nile virus infection. The new case was detected in Famagusta; according to the ministry, the condition of all patients is being monitored by doctors.

The ministry had previously reported three cases: two patients were hospitalised, while the third was identified during a routine blood test. The virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites.

Famagusta Municipality stepped up mosquito control measures after the first cases were confirmed in the country. As Ilke Sabit Soyer, head of the municipality’s health department, said, the interval between treatments was reduced from 21 days to 15.

Mosquito control has been under way since February: specialists treat marshy areas, ponds, streams and places where water accumulates, while nighttime ULV treatments — the spraying of a fine aerosol — are carried out across the city according to schedule. To cover a larger area, the municipality brought in private companies and plans to carry out biological treatment using drones as the weather becomes milder.

Other municipalities have also stepped up mosquito control. In Değirmenlik-Akıncılar, 560 mosquito breeding sites were identified in 18 villages, and they will be inspected every 10 days.