Regional authorities will spray insecticide over some 1,000 hectares of land in eastern Attica late Thursday to address a rise in cases of the potentially fatal, mosquito-borne West Nile virus, officials said.
The campaign comes as Greece has announced a total 19 deaths so far this year from the virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes but not among human beings.
The virus is particularly widespread in eastern Attica, the Greater Athens region and parts of Thessaly in central Greece, and authorities urged residents to cover themselves well after sunset and use strong insect-repellent.
According to the latest data from the National Public Health Organisation, by Wednesday a total 232 locally contracted cases of the disease had been recorded in Greece - 165 of which were accompanied by encephalitis, meningitis, paralysis or a combination of the above.
A total 75 new cases were registered over the week ending August 26.
