West Nile virus cases continue to rise across Greece, putting officials and health experts on alert. It is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes, but infected humans cannot transmit the virus to other humans
According to the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY), the number of recorded cases in 2024 is higher compared to the same period in the past five years.
This year, 55 cases have been diagnosed, 33 of which occurred in July. In addition, 22 new cases were recorded in the first days of August. The first case was reported in early July, with the patient experiencing mild encephalitis symptoms that began in the last days of June.
There have also been 8 deaths so far in 2024.
Compared to 2023, the number of cases has increased fivefold, as there were 11 cases and 2 deaths at the same time last year. In total, 2023 ended with 163 cases and 23 deaths, with the first case recorded in early July and the last in early October.
This year, 42 patients became critically ill with symptoms affecting the central nervous system. The vast majority (49 people) required hospitalization. Of these, 30 have been discharged, while 11 remain hospitalized. Five are in intensive care. The eight patients who lost their lives were elderly (68 to 92 years old).
The youngest patient with central nervous system symptoms was 36 years old, and the oldest was 92 years old.
EODY has warned that the number of cases is expected to increase in the coming weeks and months. The geographical distribution of the virus is mainly concentrated in five regions: Thessaly, Central Macedonia, Western Greece, Epirus and the Ionian Islands. Most cases have been reported in Central Macedonia.
