THE HAGUE, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Three people infected with West Nile virus have died in the Netherlands since August, while the total number of reported cases has risen to 18, the country's health authority confirmed Thursday.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) said in its weekly update that, except for one case detected as part of a scientific study, the virus was diagnosed in the other cases after the individuals had been hospitalized with symptoms.
"The patients contracted West Nile virus following bites from infected mosquitoes in the provinces of Utrecht, North Brabant, North Holland, South Holland, Overijssel and Gelderland," the RIVM said.
The RIVM reported last month that a person who had contracted West Nile virus locally in the Netherlands had died.
West Nile virus naturally circulates among birds and can be transmitted to humans and other mammals through bites from infected mosquitoes. About 80 percent of infections cause no symptoms, while around 19 percent result in flu-like symptoms. About 1 percent of infections develop into more serious illness involving neurological symptoms, according to the RIVM.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said there is currently no licensed vaccine for humans and no specific antiviral treatment for West Nile virus. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, with supportive care in hospital provided for patients with severe illness.
