Dust fills the sky over Iraklio, Crete, during one of several episodes of dust clouds transported from North Africa this month. [Makis Kartsonakis/InTime News]
As southerly winds continue to blanket skies in many parts of Greece with dust from the Sahara Desert, health experts are revising public health warnings.
The new guidelines issued by the Public Health Organization (EODY) expand the focus from vulnerable individuals already diagnosed with asthma or other respiratory diseases to the general population, highlighting symptoms that could signal undiagnosed conditions, a leading expert said.
According to Theodoros Vassilakopoulos, president of EODY’s scientific council and a professor of pulmonology and intensive care medicine at the University of Athens, exposure to Saharan dust can trigger mild inflammation in the body as particles settle on the skin and mucous membranes.
“Most people react without symptoms. However, a range of symptoms may indicate underlying chronic conditions such as allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” Vassilakopoulos told Kathimerini.
Symptoms that should prompt a visit to a doctor include watery or irritated eyes, sneezing and runny nose, coughing and phlegm, but especially shortness of breath or tightness in the chest.
Vassilakopoulos noted that about 1 million people in Greece are estimated to have COPD, with roughly half undiagnosed. Exposure to Saharan dust can trigger symptoms in these individuals, leading them to seek treatment.
So far in 2026, no significant increase in hospital admissions linked to dust-related respiratory infections has been observed, though health authorities continue to monitor the situation. Patients with existing conditions are advised to consult their doctors about adjusting treatment during dust episodes, which can worsen allergies when combined with seasonal pollen.
What to do when dust levels are high
• Limit outdoor activities and stay indoors
• Use a car for transportation when possible
• Keep windows closed
• Set ventilation systems to recirculate indoor air
• Use high-filtration masks (FFP2/KN95/N95) outdoors
• Turn on air purifiers early, if available
• Avoid smoking, vacuuming, cooking with gas and lighting candles or fireplaces
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water