More than 1,000 West Nile virus infections in 15 European countries

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced that more than 1,000 local cases of West Nile virus have been recorded in Europe since the start of the transmission season this year, with the virus spreading to 15 countries.

In its latest weekly update, published on Friday based on data reported up to September 3, the Centre stated that the total number of local cases reached 1,086 across 15 European countries, while the number of areas experiencing local transmission of the virus rose to 144.

Italy led European countries in the number of cases with 516, followed by Greece with 284, Spain with 88, Romania with 56, North Macedonia with 55, France with 36, and Serbia with 18.

The Netherlands recorded 9 cases, Croatia 7, Cyprus 6, Austria 4, Hungary 3, Germany 2, while Albania and Kosovo each recorded one case.

The Centre noted that 20 new areas were added during the past week to the list of regions recording local transmission of the virus for the first time this season. Italy accounted for the largest number of affected areas, with 62, followed by Greece with 19, Romania with 17, and France with 13.

The Centre pointed out that weekly data do not provide a complete picture of West Nile virus transmission in Europe, as they rely on cases reported by national health authorities within European surveillance systems.

West Nile virus is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes within a transmission cycle involving birds and mosquitoes, while mosquitoes carrying the virus can transmit the infection to humans.