West Nile Virus: Greece sees 75 new cases and six deaths in one week

Greece is experiencing a sharp rise in West Nile virus infections, with 75 new cases and six fatalities reported in the last week alone. This surge brings the total number of cases since the beginning of the transmission season to 232, with 19 deaths recorded as of August 26.

The majority of severe cases have affected the central nervous system. Of the 232 total cases, 165 patients developed symptoms such as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis. The remaining 67 cases presented with milder symptoms or were asymptomatic regarding the central nervous system.

All 19 individuals who died from the virus were over 65 years old, with a median age of 85. The ages of the deceased ranged from 66 to 92.

Currently, 73 patients are hospitalized, including 26 in intensive care units. Another 124 patients have been discharged, and 16 did not require hospitalization. The first case of the season, showing symptoms on June 25, highlights the ongoing threat of the virus, prompting comparisons with previous years, including 2018, which saw the highest annual number of reported cases.