Three deaths of patients with West Nile virus infection and 21 total cases have been recorded in Greece from the beginning of the 2023 period until today.

During the last week, 10 new cases were diagnosed/reported, according to the EODY weekly epidemiological report.

A total of 21 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed in Greece, of which 20 cases presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System (CNS, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and one case had mild manifestations / had no CNS manifestations. 6 patients are being treated, of which 2 are in ICU. 3 deaths have been recorded in patients with virus infection and CNS manifestations aged over 78 years.

According to the EODY, cases of West Nile virus infection have been recorded in settlements in the Regional Units of Larissa, Imathia, Thessaloniki, Pella, Serres, Karditsa and Kavala.

It is considered possible and expected that further cases will be diagnosed in the coming period (and in view of the awareness of health professionals).

Outbreaks of West Nile virus infection occur in many countries worldwide, as well as in many European countries, on an annual basis. In the European Union and in its neighboring countries, during the period 2023, until 02/08/2023, apart from our country, cases of infection with the DN virus have been recorded in: Italy, France and Hungary. 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, concludes EODY.