Utrecht reports first local West Nile virus death

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has confirmed the death of an individual in the province of Utrecht due to West Nile virus. The deceased was an octogenarian with underlying health conditions who contracted the virus locally in the Netherlands.

This marks the second West Nile virus-related fatality known to Dutch authorities this year, though the first death occurred in Drenthe following a trip to Southeast Europe. In 2026, three infections have been reported as likely acquired within the Netherlands, including a case involving a blood donor in Utrecht earlier this month.

The virus has also been detected in mosquitoes, birds, and horses across the provinces of Utrecht, North Brabant, and South Holland. While the RIVM notes that the risk of infection remains “very low,” health officials advise caution. Most infections are asymptomatic, with approximately 19 percent resulting in flu-like symptoms and 1 percent leading to serious neurological complications.