The National Public Health Organization (EYE) recommends the public to take precautionary measures from mosquitoto reduce the risk of infection by the West Nile viruswhich is expected to appear this year as well.

Infection of the West Nile infection are recorded in many countries worldwide, as in many European countries, on an annual basis, usually during the summer and autumn months. From 2010 onwards, there have been cases of almost every year in our country.

Specifically, over the last 15 years (2010 to 2024), a total of 2,088 domestic cases of West Nile infection have been recorded in our country (with an average annual number of outbreaks per year), of which 1,471 (70/%) have presented events from the central nervous system, and have recorded a total of 292 deaths, infection from the virus. During last year (2024) a total of 220 domestic cases of infection in Greece were recorded, of which 157 with events from the central nervous system – and 35 deaths in patients with virus infection.

Based on historical epidemiological data, the re -emergence of incidents during the current mosquito circulation (2025) is expected. For this reason, EDYY has already informed health professionals nationwide of their need for alert for the disease during the current period.

West Nile virus

The West Nile virus is mainly transmitted by the sting of infected “common” mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are infected with infected birds (some species of mainly wild birds). People who are infected further transmit the virus to other mosquitoes or other people (by direct contact).

Most of them, people infected do not get sick at all or show only mild symptoms. However, in a small percentage (less than 1%), people infected have severe disease that affects the nervous system (mainly encephalitis or meningitis). Older people (over 50 years) and people with immunosuppression / chronic underlying diseases are more at risk of being seriously ill and – at a rate – to present life -threatening complications.

As the epidemiology of the virus is complex and is determined by many factors, the virus circulation areas and outbreaks cannot be safely predicted. Therefore, EDY recommends that individual mosquito protection measures be observed throughout the territory, throughout the mosquito circulation period:

• Use approved body and environmental insect repellents (according to the instructions for use), screens, mosquitoes, air conditioners/ fans, suitable (long) clothes.

• Do not leave stagnant waters anywhere (so, helping to reduce mosquito breeding outbreaks in private spaces).

Older people, people with immunosuppression and people with chronic underlying diseases, must adhere to individual mosquito protection measures with particular consistency, as they are more at risk of seriously getting sick.

During each transmission period, and with the aim of timely implementing targeted response and prevention measures, EDY carries out enhanced epidemiological surveillance of the disease and active entomological surveillance at national level, informs health professionals and public health professionals and the public, investigating the incidents and consisted of continuing communication and continuing communication with the public and in -law. Recommended prevention and response actions, based on risk assessment in each region, are described in detail in the “West Nile virus infection” of the Ministry of Health, which aims to apply actions to manage and reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.