West Nile Virus in Netherlands

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment reported on 15th October 2020 that a male patient had been diagnosed with West Nile virus (WNV) the previous week. The man had not travelled abroad recently and is thought to have contracted the virus in the region of Utrecht due to a mosquito bite.

This is the first time that infection with this virus has been diagnosed in a person who has contracted it in the Netherlands.

Advice for Travellers

• There is no vaccine against West Nile virus.
• Travellers should practice Mosquito Bite Avoidance at all times, especially at dusk and dawn during peak transmission times and when outbreaks are known to be occurring.
• Medical advice should be sought if symptoms develop following travel to a risk area.

Note for blood donors: If you have travelled to an area with West Nile virus transmission in the past 4 months you may need to be tested for WNV before donating blood.

• See the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Travel Leaflet for further information.

For further information see TRAVAX West Nile Fever page.