West Nile virus cases in Greece have risen worryingly, with 75 new locally acquired infections recorded in just one week. According to the latest weekly report by the National Public Health Organisation (EODY), the total number of cases for the 2026 transmission season has now reached 232.
Of all patients, 165 developed symptoms affecting the central nervous system (CNS), such as encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis, while 67 had a milder form of the disease or no neurological symptoms at all. As of 26 August, 19 deaths had been recorded, all in patients aged over 65.
Hospitals remain under significant pressure. In total, 73 patients were in hospital, 26 of them in intensive care units and one in a high-dependency unit; 124 patients had already been discharged.
Attica at the epicentre
Attica is at the centre of this year’s surge, with EODY reporting particularly intense circulation of the virus and more cases than previous years. Overall, cases have been recorded and investigated in 61 municipalities, 18 regional units and five regions of the country: Attica, Thessaly, Central Macedonia, Peloponnese and Central Greece.
