The World Health Organization (WHO) made several recommendations today after knowing the first case of western equine encephalitis in a human which has been known for more than 20 years, diagnosed in an adult in the Argentine province of Santa Fe.

The patient was admitted to hospital on November 24 after several days during which he presented with symptoms such as headache, myalgia, disorientation and fever, requiring mechanical ventilation for 12 days, and was discharged on December 20 when Argentina reported the case to WHO .

The disease, very rare in humans (with cases reported in Argentina in the years 1982-83 and 1996), develops mainly in horses and the Southern Cone Country reported 1,182 outbreaks in these animals between November 25 and December 27, of which 717 in the period from November 25 to December 27. the province of Buenos Aires.

The WHO recalls that the virus can be transmitted from animals to humans through mosquito bites. Therefore, it recommended eliminating areas of contaminated water that could serve as breeding grounds for insects and installing protection against these insects in houses and homes. stables.

The agency also recommended strengthening surveillance in areas with active outbreaks in animals.

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According to WHO, the people most at risk of contracting this disease are those who work or participate in activities in areas with these active outbreaks.

Despite what has been reported, WHO emphasizes that human cases have remained highly isolated to date.with moderate symptoms or asymptomatic, although he cautioned that there is no antiviral treatment. (JO)