Infection hazard

The number of West Nile virus infections in Greece this year continues to rise with 23 additional locally acquired cases recorded over the past week, the National Public Health Organisation (EODY) announced.
Since the start of the surveillance period and up to 5 August, a total of 65 locally acquired cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed in Greece. Of these, 54 patients developed central nervous system (CNS) complications – including encephalitis, meningitis and/or acute flaccid paralysis – while 11 patients experienced mild symptoms or no CNS involvement.
During the past week alone, 23 new locally acquired cases were diagnosed and reported. In total, six deaths have been recorded among patients aged over 65, who developed CNS complications associated with the infection.
The announcement said that 20 patients were currently hospitalised, including eight in intensive care units (ICUs) and four in high-dependency units (HDUs).
Up until Wednesday, West Nile virus infections in 2026 have been recorded and investigated in 25 municipalities across 10 regional units in the regions of Attica, Thessaly and Central Macedonia. The affected regional units are: East and West Attica, North, Central and South Athens, Karditsa, Larissa, Trikala, Pella, and Serres.
EODY states that further cases are expected in the coming weeks, both in the currently affected areas and in new locations that cannot be predicted with certainty.
It notes that Attica has experienced particularly intense virus circulation this year, with a significantly increased number of cases in certain areas. Among the worst affected municipalities are those of Spata-Artemida (11 cases), Markopoulo Mesogaias (seven cases) and Pallini (five cases) in Attica, with several cases reported in other east Attica municipalities but also in central Athens and the coastal suburbs.
Scattered cases, some of which are still under investigation, have been recorded in other parts of Greece.
[AMNA]