West Nile virus cases surge across Europe

West Nile virus Europe outbreak mosquito-borne disease ECDC public health

Europe is experiencing a surge in West Nile virus infections, with over 240 cases reported across seven countries since the start of the 2026 season. Italy has recorded the highest number of infections, while Greece has reported 65 cases, including six deaths.

In North Macedonia, a total of 20 cases have been registered, with seven recent new infections located in Skopje. All recent new patients in Skopje, aged 60 to 84, were hospitalized, with three in critical condition requiring intubation.

The virus is transmitted to humans primarily through mosquito bites that have acquired the virus from wild birds. While approximately 20% of those infected develop flu-like symptoms, severe disease occurs in roughly one in 100 cases. Health authorities, including the WHO and ECDC, have urged increased vigilance, particularly in Southern Europe. Currently, there is no specific vaccine or therapy for the virus, so prevention focuses on mosquito control and personal protection such as using repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing.

Entities

Attica · Attica Region · European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control · European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) · Germany · Germany (Robert Koch Institute) · Germany Federal Ministry of Health · Greece · Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY) · Greek Public Health Agency (EODY) · Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (EODY) · Hellenic National Public Health Organisation (EODY)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 26 SOURCES] A total of 65 West Nile virus infections have been confirmed in Greece since the start of surveillance up to 5 August 2026. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · gr.euronews.com · +16 more
[● 25 SOURCES] Twenty patients are currently hospitalized, including eight in intensive‑care units and four in high‑dependency wards. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · gr.euronews.com · +14 more
[● 4 SOURCES] A working group has designated several additional municipalities as high‑risk areas for future West Nile virus transmission. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr
[● 25 SOURCES] Eleven cases were mild or asymptomatic with no central‑nervous‑system involvement. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · gr.euronews.com · +14 more
[● 18 SOURCES] The infections have been identified in 25 municipalities across ten regional units, mainly in Attica, Thessaly and Central Macedonia. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · gr.euronews.com · +7 more
[● 20 SOURCES] Fifty‑four of the confirmed cases in Greece presented severe central‑nervous‑system manifestations. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · gr.euronews.com · +10 more
[● 20 SOURCES] 23 new West Nile virus cases were reported in Greece in the most recent week. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · gr.euronews.com · +10 more
[● 26 SOURCES] Six patients over 65 years old died from West Nile virus infection with central‑nervous‑system involvement. pelop.gr · tvxs.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · gr.euronews.com · +16 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The Greek cases were identified in 25 municipalities across ten regional units in Attica, Thessaly and Central Macedonia. www.paron.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · emvolos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · +7 more
[● 16 SOURCES] 54 of the Greek cases presented severe central‑nervous‑system manifestations. www.paron.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · emvolos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · +7 more
[● 16 SOURCES] 23 new West Nile virus cases were reported in Greece during the most recent week. www.paron.gr · ermisnews.gr · www.tokarfi.gr · emvolos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · +7 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Italy reported 94 confirmed human West Nile virus cases, the highest number in Europe for 2026. www.euronews.com · gr.euronews.com · www.archynetys.com · 98zero.com · www.insalutenews.it · +1 more