Costa Rican health officials on alert for West Nile virus

Experts from Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA) are on alert for West Nile virus, which has claimed the lives of 118 people in the United States.

SENASA officials said in a press release that they will establish medical protocols to protect against the spread of the virus in Costa Rica.

West Nile virus is a disease that causes fever and can affect birds, horses and humans.

SENASA reported that they will track all suspected cases and clinical signs compatible with West Nile virus in clinics across the country.

According to experts, 20 percent of infected people develop mild symptoms such as high fever, headache and body aches, nausea and vomiting.

The virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and was first discovered in Uganda in 1937.