Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Birds Blamed for Arrival of West Nile Virus

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

CARACAS, Dec 23 2006 (IPS) - The West Nile virus has been reported in Venezuela, north of the Orinoco River, likely carried into the country by migratory birds, researcher Juan Carlos Navarro, of Venezuela's Central University, told Tierramérica The microorganism has been spreading from north to south in the Americas, and can be found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Antilles and Colombia.

First detected in Uganda in 1937, the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, and affects birds and mammals. In humans it causes fever and can lead to encephalitis, and in some cases, death.

“An epidemic of West Nile virus is unlikely in Latin America because most of the population has faced dengue or was vaccinated against yellow fever, but we must remain vigilant because the virus can mutate and affect people who were considered protected,” said Navarro.