According to an epidemiological report published on Thursday by the Greek National Health Organization (EODY), 180 cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed and investigated in Greece in 2024, while 24 people died from this mosquito-borne disease until September 18.
West Nile virus is a disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Of the 180 cases, 132 had central nervous system symptoms (encephalitis, meningitis, and/or acute muscle weakness and paralysis, among others), 48 had mild or no symptoms, and 27 patients died.
According to the report, 18 new domestic cases and four cases in which patients contracted the virus while abroad (three in Albania and one in Austria) were reported in the past week, which were not included in the above analysis. For two additional cases with complex travel histories, the investigation into whether they were imported or domestic has not yet been completed and they were also excluded from the analysis.
Two deaths from West Nile virus have also been reported in the past week, bringing the total number of deaths this year to 27, while a third death of a patient with the virus has been attributed to another serious health issue and excluded from the death count.
Cases of the virus have been registered in 63 municipalities and 29 regional units in Greece. These are Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala, Lefkada, Thesprotia, Preveza, Chalkidiki, Pella, Pieria, Serres, Kilkis, Imathia, Rhodope, Drama, Evros, Xanthi, Kavala, Thassos, Achaia, Aitoloakarnania, Ilia, Argolis, Arcadia, Athens South, Athens Central, East Attica, Phthiotis, Viotia and the Thessaloniki metropolitan area.
Cases of the disease have also been reported in European Union and adjacent countries, namely Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Monitoring the disease and taking timely measures to control the mosquito population, as well as personal protective measures against mosquitoes, are recommended means of disease control, EODY said.
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