Netherlands reports West Nile virus outbreak and blood screening

The Netherlands is experiencing an increase in West Nile virus cases, with the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) reporting 44 confirmed human infections and five deaths this season. Recent data shows 16 new infections were identified in a single week.

Zuid-Holland is the most affected region with 23 cases, followed by Utrecht with 10. The virus has also been detected in Overijssel, Gelderland, Noord-Brabant, and Noord-Holland. While most infections are asymptomatic or result in mild flu-like symptoms, approximately 1 percent of cases can lead to severe neurological conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis, particularly in older adults and immunocompromised individuals.

In response to a fatality linked to a blood transfusion from an infected donor, the national blood bank, Sanquin, has implemented mandatory West Nile virus screening for all blood donations across nine provinces to prevent transfusion-related transmission.