The West Nile virus is a viral disease that can be transmitted to man mainly by Culex Pipiensbetter known as the common mosquito. Contrary to what one might think, the tiger mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), which in recent years is much more visible and aggressive, is not involved in the transmission of this virus. Understanding the difference between these two species of mosquito is essential to understand how to prevent their diffusion and protect itself effectively.
Culex Pipiens: the real vector of the West Nile virus
The main vector of the West Nile virus is Culex Pipiens, a kind of mosquito that stands out for some peculiar characteristics. This mosquito is mainly nocturnal and tends to proliferate in humid environments, where stagnant water is present, such as manholes, wells and other unwanted rural or urban areas. The Culex Pipiens feeds mainly of blood of wild birds, which are the natural tanks of the virus. Once a culex mosquito is infected, it can transmit the virus to humans and other animals such as horses, causing western Nile fever.
How to recognize the Culex mosquito
Culex Pipiens has a brown-gray body, with dimensions ranging from 3 to 7 mm. Its wings are transparent and thin legs. It is a mosquito that prefers environments with stagnant water, such as manholes and wells, and can be found in urban and rural areas. The females of this species lay eggs in stagnant water, ensuring that their proliferation is closely linked to the presence of these environments.
One of the main characteristics of the Culex is that it does not emitarable buzzing during the flight, which makes it less evident than the tiger mosquito. In addition, it is mainly active at night and tends to sting even within homes. It is not as aggressive as the tiger mosquito (which also stings during the day), but its night activity often makes it underestimated, despite being equally dangerous. Culex Pipiens is also less visible than the tiger mosquito, which makes it even more difficult to identify.
The difference with the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
Many confuse the Culex Pipiens with Aedes Albopictus, the famous Tiger mosquito. Although both belong to the culicides family, there are important differences between the two.
The tiger mosquito is daytime, more aggressive and visible, with its characteristic white stripes on the legs and body. Activate especially during the day, it can sting everywhere and at any time, even in full sun. On the contrary, the Culex Pipiens is mainly nocturnal and more discreet, it prefers cool and humid places, such as manholes, and its most silent behavior often passes unnoticed. The Aedes albopictus, despite being a vehicle of other Arbovirus such as the Dengue virus and Chikungunya, is not involved in the transmission of the West Nile virus.
Because Culex Pipiens is more dangerous than it seems
Even if Culex Pipiens is not as visible as the tiger mosquito, its danger is not to be underestimated. This insect can be equally effective in transmitting the West Nile virus, above all because it tends to sting in closed environments, where it can be difficult to avoid contact. In addition, its night activity and the ability to adapt to different environments, from urban to rural ones, make it a carrier very efficient, which easily proliferate in hot and humid summers.
How the transmission of the West Nile virus is happening
The West Nile virus is transmitted exclusively through the sting of infected mosquitoes. These mosquitoes, in particular the Culex, are infected by punishing wild birds that host the virus, and subsequently, through their saliva, transmit the virus to human beings and other animals. The virus enters the body through the puncture and, in some cases, can cause mild symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle pain. In the most serious cases, the virus can cause neurological diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis, which, in the absence of appropriate treatments, can be fatal.
Symptoms of Nile fever
Western Nile fever can manifest itself in different forms. In most cases, the symptoms are mild or even absent. When present, the typical symptoms are similar to those of a common influence: fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, tiredness and sometimes rashes.
However, in the most serious cases, especially between elderly people, immunosuppressed or with chronic pathologies, the virus can cause neurological complications, including meningitis, encephalitis and paralysis. In these cases, symptoms may include persistent high fever, neck stiffness, mental confusion, muscle weakness and convulsions.
How to protect yourself from the Culex mosquito
Since there is no nile fever vaccine, prevention is mainly concentrated in reducing the risk of being points from mosquitoes. The protection measures include:
The situation in Italy
The West Nile virus is present in Italy, and its diffusion increases during the summer months. Every year, the cases of Nile fever increase between July and September, a period in which the population of Culex mosquitoes is more numerous. Some Italian regions, such as Lazio, Lombardy and Campania, are among the most affected, so it is essential that citizens adopt preventive measures to protect themselves from these mosquitoes.
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