A total of 12 deaths in patients with West Nile virus infection have been recorded since the beginning of the year until August 21, aged over 60 years (median age of deceased = 83 years, range 61 – 92 years).
During the last week, two deaths were recorded and 24 new domestic cases were diagnosed/declared, according to the EODY epidemiological report. Three imported cases of the infection in patients exposed to another foreign country (Albania) have also been recorded, which are not included in the further analysis.
A total of 100 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection in Greece have been diagnosed and investigated, of which 76 cases presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System (CNS, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and 24 cases had mild/no CNS manifestations.
Outbreaks of West Nile virus infection occur in many countries worldwide, as well as in many European countries, on an annual basis. In the years 2010-2014 and 2017-2023, cases of West Nile virus infection were recorded in various regions (and) of our country, during the summer and autumn months, while circulation of the virus has been recorded in the past in all Regions. The occurrence of cases of infection by the virus, on an almost annual basis during the last decade, indicates that the West Nile virus has established itself in our country, as well as in other European countries. Therefore, it was considered possible and expected that incidents would reoccur in the current period of 2024 as well, during the period of circulation of mosquitoes, both in known and – possibly – in new areas.
In which areas are cases recorded?
This year and until August 21, cases of West Nile virus infection have been recorded and investigated in Greece, in settlements in the Regional Units of Larissa, Karditsa, Lefkada, Halkidiki, Pella, Serres, Kilkis, Imathia, Achaia, Thesprotia, South Sector of Athens, Argolis, Rhodope, Drama, Evros, Xanthi, Fthiotida and in the Metropolitan Unit of Thessaloniki.
EODY considers the diagnosis of further cases to be possible and expected in the coming period. In the European Union and neighboring countries, apart from our country, cases of infection with the DN virus have been recorded in: Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Croatia and Serbia.
Epidemiological surveillance of the disease, the timely implementation of appropriate integrated mosquito control programs and the adoption of personal protection measures against mosquitoes are the most appropriate measures to control the disease. In this context, the vigilance of health professionals and the continued vigilance of local and national authorities are deemed necessary on the one hand.
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