ATHENS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Greece has reported 23 new locally acquired West Nile virus cases over the past week, marking a sharp increase in infections in the current transmission season, Greek official news agency AMNA reported on Thursday.
According to the latest weekly epidemiological surveillance report released by the National Public Health Organization (EODY), Greece has recorded 65 locally acquired West Nile virus infections since May,the beginning of the 2026 transmission season.
Of these, 54 patients developed central nervous system (CNS) complications, including encephalitis, meningitis and acute flaccid paralysis. Meanwhile, 11 patients experienced mild symptoms or no CNS involvement.
Six deaths linked to the virus have been recorded so far this season. All the deceased were over the age of 65 and had developed CNS complications. The median age of the dead was 79 years.
EODY said human infections have been reported in 25 municipalities across 10 regional units in three major regions of Greece - Attica, Thessaly and Central Macedonia - this year. The spread has been particularly intense in Attica, the region that includes the capital Athens.
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that has become a recurring public health concern in Greece in recent years. The country reports human infections almost every summer, with cases typically increasing during the peak mosquito season from May to November. ■