West Nile

A fourth case of West Nile fever has been confirmed in Bulgaria, with the latest diagnosis reported in a patient from Sofia, according to Prof. Iva Hristova, director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCCPD). This follows the deaths of two patients due to complications from the illness and the ongoing treatment of a man in Haskovo.

This year's warm winter could lead to an early start to the West Nile virus circulation period, health experts warn.

In a statement on Tuesday, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) stressed the need for precautionary measures against mosquitoes to reduce the risk of infection by the West Nile virus, which, as it stated, is expected to recirculate this summer.

Four local cases of West Nile virus infection in humans have been registered between June 7 - September 2, and one of the infected persons has died, the National Center for the Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases of the National Public Health Institute informs. The West Nile fatality is a 63-year-old man from Dolj County.

Тhirteen people suffering from West Nile fever have died in Greece since the beginning of this year, and another 131 have been infected with the virus, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention said yesterday, quoted by Protothema.

A 84-year-old man from the village of Botevo in Yambol region died on 13th of September from West Nile Fever, but the laboratory results were released on 25th of September

West Nile virus is mainly transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

A man from Plovdiv is infected with West Nile fever, Professor Todor Kantardzhiev, Director of the National Center for Contagious and Parasitic Diseases told BNT on 3rd of September.

Infections of the West Nile virus have climbed to 40 in the region of central Macedonia in northern Greece, according to local authorities.

Deputy Regional Governor for Public Health Dimitris Hatzivrettas said the latest data refer to the period stretching from May until last Thursday. Most of the cases were reported in the region of Imathia and in Thessaloniki.

The West Nile virus situation is being closely monitored and is under control, the Health Minister has said.

"There is no real concern that we will see the uncontrolled spread of the West Nile virus, but the Health Ministry and KEELPNO [Center for Disease Prevention and Control] HCDCP are on alert," Andreas Xanthos told Kokkino 105.5 radio.