The National Public Health Organization (EODY) reported 12 new domestic cases of West Nile virus and three related deaths in Greece during the past week.
In addition to these domestic cases, four imported cases were identified in patients who were exposed to the virus abroad—three in Albania and one in Austria. However, these imported cases are not included in the detailed domestic analysis.
Since the beginning of the 2024 season up to September 25th, a total of 192 domestic cases of West Nile virus infection have been diagnosed and investigated in Greece.
Of these, 143 cases involved severe symptoms affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS), such as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis, while 49 cases either presented mild symptoms or had no CNS involvement.
Tragically, there have been a total of 30 deaths among patients over the age of 60 who were infected with the virus, with a median age of 81 years (range: 61-93 years). One additional death occurred in a patient with a confirmed West Nile virus infection but was attributed to another serious pre-existing health condition and is not included in the overall death count.
West Nile virus cases have been recorded in settlements across 67 municipalities and 29 regional units in Greece.
These units include: Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala, Lefkada, Thesprotia, Preveza, Halkidiki, Pella, Pieria, Serres, Kilkis, Imathia, Rhodope, Drama, Evros, Xanthi, Kavala, Thasos, Achaia, Aetolia-Acarnania, Ilia, Argolis, Arcadia, South Athens, Central Athens, East Attica, Phthiotis, Boeotia, and the Metropolitan Area of Thessaloniki.
The continued monitoring and reporting by health authorities underscore the importance of public awareness and preventive measures as the West Nile virus remains a significant health concern in Greece.