Greece reports 45 new West Nile virus cases, three new deaths

Greek health authorities reported 45 new confirmed infections with West Nile virus over the past week, raising the total recorded since the start of this summer to 110 cases. The weekly update from the National Public Health Organization (EODY) also records three additional fatal cases for the period.

Clinical picture and hospitalisations

Of the 110 cases this season, 81 patients developed central nervous system involvement such as encephalitis, meningitis or acute paralysis, while 29 cases showed only mild symptoms or no CNS involvement. Currently 35 patients are receiving hospital treatment; 61 have been discharged to continue recovery at home and five did not require hospital admission.

Since the beginning of the summer season a total of nine people have died from West Nile virus infection; all deceased were over 65 years old, with an average age of 82.

"According to the results of the epidemiological investigation carried out in 2010, for every one case of West Nile virus infection with central nervous system involvement there correspond approximately 140 people infected with the virus who have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic," EODY notes.

Geographically, the majority of cases (77) have been recorded in the Attica region around Athens. The remaining 29 cases are distributed across Thessaly, elsewhere in northern Greece and in the Peloponnese; five cases remain under epidemiological investigation.

In response to rising transmission in Attica, regional authorities announced yesterday they will increase targeted mosquito control operations by 30 percent, adding new ground and aerial spraying. The first confirmed infection for this season was identified in early July. Historic records show West Nile virus has been present in Greece during summers from 2010 to 2014 and from 2017 to the present; the largest outbreak occurred in 2018 with 317 cases and 51 deaths. Last year Greece reported 96 cases and nine deaths.

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