Greece has confirmed 65 domestically acquired cases of West Nile virus during the 2026 transmission season, including 23 new infections reported over the past week, according to the National Public Health Organisation (EODY).
As of 5 August, 54 patients had developed severe neurological complications, including encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis, while 11 people experienced mild symptoms or no neurological involvement.
Health authorities have also recorded six deaths, all involving patients aged over 65 who developed severe neurological disease.
Twenty Patients Hospitalised
A total of 20 patients remain in hospital, including:
- 8 in intensive care units (ICU)
- 4 in high-dependency units (HDU)
Cases Reported Across Three Regions
So far this year, infections have been detected in 25 municipalities across 10 regional units in:
- Attica
- Thessaly
- Central Macedonia
Attica has recorded particularly intense virus activity, with the highest concentration of confirmed cases occurring in municipalities across eastern and northern parts of the metropolitan area.
The municipality of Spata-Artemida has reported the largest number of confirmed infections, with 11 cases, followed by Markopoulo Mesogaias (7) and Pallini (5).
Additional cases have been identified in municipalities across Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala, Pella and Serres, while several infections remain under investigation.
High-Risk Areas Expanded
EODY has also designated several additional municipalities as high-risk areas, despite no confirmed human cases being reported there this season.
These include:
- Marousi
- Iraklio
- Filothei-Psychiko
- Metamorfosi
- New Philadelphia-New Chalcedon
- Amphipolis
- Naousa
Health officials said these areas were classified as high risk due to their proximity to affected municipalities and epidemiological and environmental factors that could support virus transmission.
Public Urged to Protect Against Mosquito Bites
EODY warned that additional cases are expected in the coming weeks and stressed that the geographical spread of the virus cannot be predicted with certainty.
The agency urged the public across all regions of Greece to take personal protective measures against mosquito bites throughout the mosquito season, including using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and trousers outdoors, installing window screens and removing standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Health authorities also emphasised that continued mosquito-control programs and heightened vigilance by healthcare professionals remain essential to limiting the spread of the virus.