EODY: 12 cases and 3 deaths in the last week from West Nile virus

During the past week, 12 new domestic cases of West Nile virus and 3 deaths were diagnosed/reported, according to the epidemiological report of the EODY.

Four imported cases of the infection in patients exposed in other foreign countries (three in Albania and one in Austria) have also been recorded, which are not included in further analysis.

Since the beginning of the 2024 period, until 25/09/2024, a total of 192 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection in Greece have been diagnosed and investigated, of which 143 cases had central nervous system manifestations (CNS, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and 49 cases had mild manifestations/no CNS manifestations.

A total of 30 deaths have been recorded in patients with viral infection aged over 60 years (median age of deceased: 81 years, range: 61 – 93 years). One additional death of a patient with diagnosed West Nile virus infection was attributed to another serious coexisting health problem (not included in the total number of deaths).

Cases of West Nile virus infection in Greece have been recorded in settlements, in 67 municipalities of the country, in 29 Regional Units, and specifically in the Regional Units: Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala, Lefkada, Thesprotia, Preveza, Halkidiki, Pella, Pieria, Serres, Kilkis, Imathia, Rodopi, Drama, Evros, Xanthi, Kavala, Thassos, Achaia, Aitokarnania, Ilia, Argolida, Arcadia, South Sector of Athens, Central Sector of Athens, East Attica, Fthiotida, Boeotia and the Metropolitan Unit of Thessaloniki.

The EODY considers the diagnosis of further outbreaks in the coming period to be probable and expected, and in this context it is considered important to implement appropriate integrated mosquito control programs and to take personal protection measures against mosquitoes in a timely manner.

In the European Union and its neighbouring countries, during the period 2024, cases of infection with the virus have been recorded – apart from our country – in: Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.

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