Five new infections with West Nile virus detected in Romania, total count reaches 25

The new cases were confirmed in the county of Iasi (one), the county of Ialomita (one) and the county of Constanta (three). Those infected with the virus have a good heath condition and are receiving specialized medical assistance, according to the ministry's representatives.

Two people died in Romania last month after taking this virus which generates West Nile meningitis. They were aged 75, respectively 79, and died following other diseases that got worse. One of them was from Bucharest and the other one from the county of Constanta.

The West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and does not pass between humans.

Those presenting symptoms like fever, headaches, nausea or muscular pains in 3-7 days from a possible mosquito bite should go to the family doctor or the closest medical unit.

Europe witnessed several West Nile virus infections this summer. Greece counted 173 cases and 15 deaths, Russia reported 356 infections and six deaths, Hungary had three cases of West Nile infection, the Netherlands two and Portugal one case. The European branch of the World Health Organization also counted 24 cases in Israel.