Tunisia has recorded 10 confirmed cases of West Nile virus out of a total of 141 suspected cases between September 23 and October 26, according to data published by the National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE).

These were recorded in Tozeur (5 cases), Monastir (1), Gabes (2), Kef (1), Sfax (1), in addition to the death of an 88-year-old man from the virus on 23 October after being hospitalized on October 21.

The ONMNE pointed out that these cases were detected following PCR tests carried out at the Pasteur Institute in Tunis and the Habib Bourguiba hospital in Sfax.

Epidemiology specialist Amine Slim told TAP that the spread of West Nile virus in these governorates is due to the nature of the virus, which appears every year between September and November on the migratory routes of birds.

The West Nile virus has been present in Tunisia for seven years, with 300 cases recorded across the country, he said, adding that climate change and rising temperatures are causing the spread of this virus.