The West Nile virus transmission season is underway in many parts of Europe, with locally transmitted cases reported in Greece, Italy, Spain, Romania and North Macedonia, according to the latest data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
In Greece, 21 locally acquired cases of West Nile virus infection have been recorded from the start of the 2026 surveillance season until 22 July, the National Public Health Organisation (EODY) announced.
Of these, 20 patients developed involvement of the central nervous system, such as encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis, while one case presented with mild symptoms. So far, no deaths have been recorded, and 13 patients are hospitalised.
In the past week, 14 new locally acquired cases were reported. In addition, another case was identified with a complex travel history, including a stay in an endemic country abroad. The probable country of exposure has not yet been determined and the case is not included in EODY’s epidemiological analysis.
The situation in the rest of Europe
