West Nile Virus: University of Athens develops rapid test and AI predictions

The increasing circulation of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Greece, particularly in the Attica region, has prompted swift action from the scientific community. The Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) is spearheading the development of a portable rapid diagnostic test and utilizing artificial intelligence to forecast potential outbreaks.

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The goal is the development of a point-of-care test, based on graphene biosensors, which will be able to provide a result in less than an hour, using just one drop of blood.

Professor Maria Gazouli of EKPA's Medical School explained that a research team is collaborating with international partners from Spain, Estonia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Brazil on a large European project. Their goal is to create a point-of-care test based on graphene biosensors. This test aims to deliver results in under an hour using just a single drop of blood, capable of differentiating between four key mosquito-borne viruses: West Nile Virus, Dengue fever, Zika virus, and Chikungunya. The process is designed to be as simple as blood glucose monitoring.

Simultaneously, scientists are leveraging AI models that integrate environmental and medical data to predict WNV outbreaks. This effort is crucial as climate change, milder winters, and globalization create more favorable conditions for mosquito survival and spread. Professor Gikas Magiorinis from EKPA's Medical School noted that while most people infected with WNV show no symptoms, approximately one in 150 cases develop central nervous system involvement.

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The risk of severe illness mainly concerns older people and the immunocompromised, while children are not considered to be at particularly increased risk.

Severe symptoms, including high fever, severe headache, lethargy, photophobia, seizures, or paralysis, necessitate immediate medical attention. Experts advise using approved insect repellents, protecting against mosquitoes, and avoiding areas with stagnant water until the research yields a definitive diagnostic tool. As of August 19, Greece had recorded 157 WNV cases and 13 deaths, exclusively among individuals over 65 years old.

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Most people experience the infection without even realizing they have been infected. Central nervous system involvement affects about one in 150 people who get infected.