The epidemiological picture of the West Nile virus in Greece has deteriorated significantly over the summer of 2026, with the National Public Health Organization of Greece (EODY) recording dozens of new cases in just one week and highlighting the particularly intense circulation of the virus in Attica.
According to EODY’s weekly epidemiological surveillance report, with data up to 12 August 2026, a total of 110 domestically acquired cases of West Nile virus infection have been reported.
Of these, 81 involved manifestations affecting the central nervous system (CNS), such as encephalitis, meningitis, meningoencephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis, while 29 cases had milder manifestations or showed no CNS involvement.
The speed at which cases are increasing is a particular cause for concern. In the last week alone, 45 new domestically acquired cases were diagnosed or reported, a figure that accounts for a significant share of all cases recorded since the start of this year’s transmission season.
Nine deaths - sixteen patients in ICUs
