The Minister of Public Health, Karina Randowarned that there is a strain of the virus encephalitis which can cause mortality in humans; However, they have already announced the purchase of vaccines to prevent the disease in horses.
The head of the portfolio assured that the virus is transmitted through mosquitoes, so he asked the population to constantly use repellent, that you wear clothing that covers most of the body and that, mainly, prevents water from accumulating in containers because mosquitoes that transmit both this disease and others can reproduce, for example, the dengue.
“The risk that people have is not 100% directly related to contact with horses, because that is not the most frequent way of transmitting it, most of the infections that have been reported worldwide in humans are due to mosquito bites“, commented the minister at a press conference.
In that sense, he assured that, for now, there is no Uruguay no case of encephalitis and that there is no alarm on the part of the authorities. “For now there is no alarm. Any emerging, new disease that is not well known always causes the Ministry of Public Health be busy and worried,” he said.
For his part, he explained that there are three types of viruses encephalitis for humans and that one of them can be fatal. “One of them does not generate very serious effects, but generally causes symptoms of headaches, headache, muscle pain. But there is a strain of the virus that could have 60% of serious cases and even mortality”, explained the minister, who assured that vaccines for horses have already been ordered since they do not yet exist for humans.
They confirm the purchase of vaccines
The Secretary of the Presidency and current pre-candidate, Alvaro Delgado, confirmed this Monday the purchase of vaccines for horses. The leader explained that “these days a significant import of vaccines is being made to cover the demand.”
In that sense, Delgado assured that the situation is alert regarding animals and that it is necessary to notify the authorities of the presence of any suspicious case where a vaccine is required, if necessary.
The first case was confirmed in Salto
He Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) confirmed the first case of equine encephalitis in the country, detected in a horse in Leap last week. This viral pathology, also called Alphavirus and is lethal for the equines.
From the MGAP stated that symptoms in horses include fever, lethargy and weakness, loss of appetite, lameness or difficulty moving, nasal and eye discharge, respiratory problems and changes in behavior.
The disease had already been detected in Argentina and, in its different variants, it is considered a “threat to international public health” due to its “high potential to cross borders,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO), based on the International Health Regulations.
Symptoms in humans and how to avoid them
For his part, the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) He detailed that the symptoms in humans are the following:
- High fever.
- Intense headache.
- Neck stiffness.
- Confusion or altered mental status.
- Seizures.
- Muscular weakness.
Although no human cases have yet been detected in the country, the MSP called to adopt preventive measures related to avoiding mosquito bites.
Source: Ambito
