In an interview with socialbites.ca, Doctor of Medical Sciences and immunology specialist Vladislav Zhemchugov explained that West Nile fever can be transmitted through bites from both ticks and mosquitoes.
He noted that in the Mediterranean, the West Nile virus remains present in the Nile Delta region where fever is observed. The virus relies on mosquitoes and ticks to move between hosts, with birds—especially corvids and blackbirds—and rodents acting as reservoirs. The transmission cycle works as follows: a mosquito bites an infected animal or bird, picking up the virus, which is then passed to another host through subsequent bites. Zhemchugov suggested that the virus arrived in Russia via migratory birds and rodents that traveled in the holds of ships.
The physician pointed out that West Nile fever is circulating in the Northern Black Sea region, including Crimea, the Volgograd and Rostov areas, Stavropol and Krasnodar, the North Caucasus, and neighboring territories.
He emphasized that the hot summer conditions have allowed infected mosquitoes to spread into areas where they were previously uncommon, including cities such as Moscow, Kazan, Ryazan, and other major urban centers in the Volga region and central Russia. While cooler winter weather tends to reduce the frequency of cases in these regions, West Nile fever remains most common between June and October, when environmental conditions favor mosquito reproduction. Nevertheless, outbreaks can occur outside peak summer months due to ticks that become active and carry the virus, expanding risk into spring and early autumn as well.
The article also explores why case numbers may rise in the future and explains why, up to now, there is no widely available vaccine for the virus. The information presented is attributed to socialbites.ca and reflects ongoing observations about the disease’s spread and seasonality.
In summary, West Nile fever is a vector-borne illness transmitted primarily by mosquitoes and ticks, with birds and rodents serving as natural reservoirs. Its geographic reach continues to evolve with climate and migratory patterns, underscoring the importance of surveillance, personal protective measures against insect bites, and public health strategies to monitor outbreaks as the seasons shift.