The vast majority, 24 out of 25, were located in Northern Greece, while one was located in the area of Larissa
The weekly report of the EODY regarding the West Nile virus was announced. The cases with serious symptoms in Greece have reached 25, of which five were deemed appropriate to be admitted to the ICU.
The vast majority, 24 out of 25, were located in Northern Greece, while one was located in the area of Larissa.
The EODY report in more detail:
“From the beginning of the 2022 period, until 02/08/2022 (11.00am), 25 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed and investigated in Greece, of which 19 presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System (CNS, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and six had mild manifestations (eg febrile illness)/ no CNS manifestations. No death of a patient infected with the virus has been recorded.
Actions of E.O.D.Y. for the treatment of West Nile virus infection
In each period of circulation of mosquitoes, E.O.D.Y. implements – in collaboration with other agencies – a series of prevention and response actions to deal with West Nile virus infection, which include:
I. Strengthening disease surveillance in humans and informing health professionals and authorities:
– Strengthening the surveillance of encephalitis and other suspected cases: Information and awareness of health professionals about the infection by the DN virus and the need to investigate suspected cases during the period of transmission. On the website of E.O.D.Y. there is a special thematic section for health professionals. For the period 2022, an information letter has been sent to all the Health Units and Medical Associations of the country, regarding the need for enhanced surveillance of the DN virus infection, in May 2022, while in areas with recent cases, the local Health Units are being notified as an emergency for the need to investigate suspicious incidents.
– Daily communication and exchange of information with laboratories that carry out testing for the DN virus, for the timely investigation of diagnosed cases.
‐ Support for laboratory investigation of suspicious cases/ Support for the National Arbovirus and Hemorrhagic Fevers Reference Center (AUTH) and other specialized laboratories.
‐ Investigation of cases: The Department of Diseases Transmitted by Carriers of the E.O.D.Y. conducts – within 24 hours – an investigation of each reported case of DN virus infection (telephone interview), in order to determine the possible place of exposure, the risk factors and the severity of the disease. The course and outcome of hospitalized patients is also monitored daily.
‐ Information – awareness of authorities:
‐ Immediate notification of the authorities/bodies, during the 2022 transmission period, at national and local level, for the diagnosed cases of the current 2022 period (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, National Blood Donation Center, Regions/Directorates of Public Health, Municipalities) . The local public health authorities and local self-government authorities (Regions, Municipalities) of the areas where cases of infection are recorded are informed (and in writing) immediately and in an emergency about the cases exposed in their area of responsibility and about the appropriate response and prevention measures.
‐ Raising awareness of authorities before the start of the 2022 transmission period: For the 2022 period, the E.O.D.Y. had briefed (via letter, January 2022) local government authorities on mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus infection, with key guidelines and recommendations for risk assessment, surveillance and infection prevention. Also, in April 2022, it had made available to the respective Regional authorities a consolidated file with all the cases recorded in the previous years, at the exposure settlement level (per year), with the aim of supporting risk assessment decisions, increased vigilance and intensification of targeted measures prevention.
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