West Nile virus: Five dead in one week, and Achaia among the regions where cases were recorded – 2024-08-01 08:27:01

West Nile virus cases in our country have increased dramatically in recent days, while in the last week five people died and another five are hospitalized in a serious condition in ICUs in hospitals of the country. It is recalled that the virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

West Nile virus: In the hospital of Rio, a case was detected in Achaia, the bite that sounded the alarm
As announced by the National Public Health Organization (EODY), in the last week of July five people died from the West Nile virus. In addition, cases of the mosquito-borne virus doubled compared to the week before.

The total number of people infected with West Nile virus through July 31, 2024 was 33. The first patient was reported on July 10, but his symptoms had started on June 21, 2024. Six of the patients did not survive.

These incidents concern domestic transmission (infection within Greece). In July, three cases where transmission had occurred in foreign countries were reported. However, the EODY does not include these imported cases in its analyses. Limited to domestic.

• Encephalitis and/or
• Meningitis and/or
• Acute flaccid paralysis

The youngest of the patients with central nervous system (CNS) manifestations was 36 years old. The oldest was 92 years old. The EODY emphasizes that for every case of CNS attack, there are approximately 140 other patients who are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms and thus are not reported.

Of the 33 domestic cases, 17 occurred in the last week of July. Almost all patients (32 of 33) required hospitalization. Of these, 18 have been discharged. Another eight are still hospitalized, with five of them in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The remaining six patients died. All of them were elderly (from 74 to 92 years old).

In which areas were the cases recorded?

So far West Nile virus has caused the most cases in Thessaly. Next is Central Macedonia. In more detail, the cases are as follows:

Thessaly

• Municipality of Larissa 5 cases (4 with manifestations from the CNS)
• Municipality of Killeler 2 cases (both with manifestations from the CNS)
• Municipality of Agia 2 cases (one with CNS manifestations)
• Municipality of Elassona 1 case (without CNS events)
• Municipality of Karditsa 3 cases (all with events from the CNS)
• Municipality of Palamas 1 case (with events from the CNS)
• Municipality of Sofadon 1 case (with events from the CNS)

Central Macedonia

• Municipality of Lagada Thessaloniki 1 case (with events from the CNS)
• Municipality of Volvi Thessaloniki 1 case (with events from the CNS)
• Municipality of Aristoteli Halkidiki 3 cases (2 with CNS manifestations)
• Municipality of Kassandra Halkidiki 1 case (with events from the CNS)
• Municipality of Serres 1 case (both with CNS manifestations)
• Municipality of Emmanuel Pappa Serres 2 cases (both with CNS manifestations)
  Municipality of Skydra Pella 1 case (with events from the CNS)

Rest of the country

• Municipality of Lefkada 2 cases (both with manifestations from the CNS)
• Municipality of Aegialia Achaia 1 case (with CNS manifestations)
• Municipality of Western Achaia 2 cases (both with CNS manifestations)
• Municipality of Igoumenitsa, Thesprotia 1 case (with events from the CNS)

The remaining 2 cases caused by West Nile virus are still under investigation.

Source: iatropedia.gr