West Nile Virus Cases Increased in Greece: 110 Cases Recorded

EODY data stated that 110 West Nile virus cases were recorded in the country until August 12. It was stated that central nervous system symptoms were seen in 81 of the cases, and 29 people had the disease with mild symptoms, and the cases were detected in 39 municipalities in the Attica, Thessaly, Central Macedonia and Mora regions.

Danai Pervanidu, official of the EODY Epidemiological Surveillance and Prevention of Infectious Diseases Directorate, announced that the virus has spread intensively this year, especially in Attica, and the number of cases has exceeded the levels recorded in previous years in the same period. Pervanidu stated that there is no scientific evidence that the virus has become more contagious or its behavior has changed compared to previous periods.

Pointing out that many factors such as temperature and precipitation, as well as mosquito populations and bird migration routes, are effective in the spread of the virus, Pervanidu shared the information that the fact that the winter of 2025-2026 in Attica was the second hottest winter in the last 150 years may have contributed to the current situation.

GREECE WAS SECOND IN EUROPE IN NUMBER OF CASES

According to the data of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Greece is the second country in Europe where West Nile virus cases are detected most, after Italy.