The Bulgarian Health Ministry has not detected any deadly mosquitoes, carriers of the West Nile virus, and has not registered any cases of this infection.

The ministry explained Monday that the deadly mosquitoes are the same in looks and biting as the regular mosquitoes. However, their development and reproduction cycle is different and this is the reason for them not populating the Bulgarian territory.

The climate changes could cause a change in the mosquitoes’ range but this theory has not been proved yet.

However, there is data for the mosquitoes’ presence in the north part of Greece and in Macedonia, as well as periodic records during the summer months of single cases or small outbreaks.

The West Nile virus begins with a fever, high temperature, nausea and vomiting, which are the symptoms of an ordinary virus infection.

However, the symptoms turn very fast into encephalitis and meningitis and the infected need urgent hospitalization.

According to the Bulgarian legislation, the infections have to mandatory be registered and announced.

From the beginning of 2010, Bulgaria has recorded about 120 cases, for the same period in 2009 the cases were 137.

For the period August 2-8, 5 cases were registered, while the week before – 4.

Protection from the dangerous mosquitoes happens through the routine measure for protection of regular mosquitoes – putting a net on the windows, using of preparations to protect exposed parts of the body during a stay outdoors.

Municipalities are obliged to sustain the territories free of mosquitoes and ticks.