In the preparation of a comprehensive Action Plan for West Nile virus infection, the Ministry of Health proceeded with the purpose of standardized implementation of actions to manage and reduce the risk of transmission of the virus, based on a risk assessment.

The primary objective of the Plan is the support, preparation and response of the competent bodies, with the systematic and emergency implementation of actions to prevent and control seasonal outbreaks of the virus in Greece. The Action Plan was drawn up by an interdisciplinary Working Group of expert scientists, under the supervision of the Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Tropical Diseases of the Ministry of Health and the EODY.

Attacks of infection from the West Nile virus (WNV) have been recorded during the years 2010-2023 in our country, in various regions, in all Regions. The continuous monitoring of these cases confirms the presence of the virus in our country, as is the case in other European states. Therefore, a recurrence of incidents is expected in the current and future years, especially during the period when mosquitoes are active.

To address and reduce the risk of transmission of the virus, national, regional and local public health authorities have undertaken a range of operational prevention and response actions. With the aim of preventing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, the Ministry of Health annually issues a relevant Circular for integrated mosquito management programs.

Given our country’s changing climate and the potential for severe weather events in the future, such as flash floods, and mild temperatures during the winter, integrated management of mosquito vectors across the state becomes even more urgent. Their management must be based on systematic and detailed entomological surveillance, including monitoring and mapping of mosquito populations and checking for the presence of the virus in them.

In this context, the Action Plan of the Ministry of Health describes in detail the necessary actions according to the Risk Level of the virus in each region. This allows the relevant agencies to act effectively to limit the spread of the virus and protect the public.

The Action Plan remains under the supervision of the Committee for the Prevention and Treatment of Tropical Diseases of the Ministry of Health, which will investigate – at regular intervals – the need for any revision, based on the international literature and scientific research and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the actions .