From the beginning of the 2024 period, until August 14, a total of 76 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed and investigated in Greece, of which 57 cases presented manifestations from the Central Nervous System (CNS, encephalitis and/or meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis) and 19 cases had mild or no CNS manifestations.

During the last week 21 new domestic cases were diagnosed/reported.

Two imported cases of the infection in patients exposed in another foreign country have also been recorded (not included in further analysis).

10 deaths have been recorded in patients infected with the virus, aged over 60 years (median age of deceased = 80 years, range 61 – 92 years).

Outbreaks of infection have been recorded in settlements in the regional units of Larissa, Karditsa, Lefkada, Halkidiki, Pella, Serres, Kilkis, Imathia, Achaia, Thesprotia, the southern sector of Athens, Argolis, Rhodope and in the metropolitan unit of Thessaloniki. It is considered possible and expected that further cases will be diagnosed in the coming period.

The occurrence of cases of infection by the virus, on an almost annual basis during the last decade, indicates that the West Nile virus has settled in our country, as well as in other European countries.

Therefore, it was considered possible and expected that incidents would reoccur during the current period of 2024, during the period of circulation of mosquitoes, both in known and – possibly – new areas.

In the European Union and in neighboring countries, cases of DN virus infection have been recorded – apart from our country – in: Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Croatia and Serbia.

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, it is considered necessary, on the one hand, the vigilance of health professionals and, on the other hand, the continued vigilance of local and national authorities.