Two more people died from the infection West Nile virusbringing the death toll to 13, while 11 new cases were reported in the past week, according to the weekly West Nile Virus Epidemiological Surveillance Report EODY.

In total, from the beginning of the period 2023, until 05/09/2023, a total of 100 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed and investigated in Greece, of which 82 cases presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System (CNS , encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and 18 cases had mild/no CNS manifestations.

During the last week, they were diagnosed/reported 11 new cases. They have been recorded 13 deaths in patients with viral infection and CNS manifestations, aged over 64 years (median age of deceased = 82 years).

Cases of West Nile virus infection have been recorded in settlements in the Regional Units of Karditsa, Larissa, Trikala, Imathia, Thessaloniki, Pella, Pieria, Kilkis, Serres, Halkidiki, Kavala, Drama, Rodopi, Xanthi, Kastoria and Arta.

The appearance of cases of infection by the virus, on an -almost- annual basis during 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 reappearance incidents and during the current period 2023, during the period circulation of mosquitoesboth in known and – possibly – new areas.

The epidemiological surveillance of the disease, the timely implementation of appropriate integrated combat programs of mosquitoes 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 is deemed necessary, on the one hand, and the continued vigilance of local and national authorities on the other.

EODY recommends the observance of individual protection measures against mosquitoes, throughout the territory, throughout the period of circulation of mosquitoes.

In the European Union and in neighboring countries, during the period 2023, until 30/08/2023, cases of infection with the DN virus have been recorded – apart from our country – in: Italy, France, Romania, Hungary, Germany, Spain , North Macedonia and Serbia.