From the beginning of the period 2023, until October 10, a total of 157 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed and investigated in Greece, of which 115 cases presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System (CNS, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and 42 cases had mild/no CNS manifestations. E

Also 20 deaths have been recorded in patients with virus infection and CNS manifestations, aged over 64 years (median age of deceased 81 years).

According to EODY, during the last week, 5 new cases were diagnosed/declared. For one more possible case, the completion of laboratory diagnostic testing is pending (not included in the total number of cases), while one death has been recorded.

In the period 2023, until October 10, cases of West Nile virus infection have been recorded in Greece, in settlements in the Regional Units of Karditsa, Larissa, Trikala, Imathia, Thessaloniki, Pella, Pieria, Kilkis, Serres, Halkidiki, Kavala, Drama, Rhodope, Xanthi, Evros, Kastoria, Arta and Ioannina. It is considered possible and expected that further cases will be diagnosed in the coming period.

The 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 is deemed necessary, on the one hand, and the continued vigilance of local and national authorities on the other.