West Nile virus outbreaks surge across Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria

West Nile virus epidemic outbreak mosquito-borne disease public health crisis neuroinvasive infection

West Nile virus cases are surging across Southeastern Europe, with significant outbreaks reported in Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.

In Greece, health authorities have recorded 232 domestic cases and 19 deaths, with a sharp increase of 75 cases in a single week. Most fatalities have occurred in individuals over the age of 65. The Attica region is particularly affected, prompting local municipalities to implement mosquito control measures. Experts warn that high temperatures may prolong mosquito activity and virus transmission into September.

North Macedonia has confirmed six deaths from the virus, including a 72-year-old patient from Skopje. The country has recorded 50 confirmed cases and three suspected infections. Health officials have released a digital map to identify high-risk areas and mosquito breeding sites.

Bulgaria has also reported its first case of the 2026 season. The virus is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Culex mosquitoes, and while many cases remain asymptomatic, others develop fever, headache, and muscle pain.

Entities

Attica · Balkans · Bulgaria · Clinic for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljević · Croatia · Croatian Institute of Public Health · Dr. Fran Mihaljević Clinic for Infectious Diseases · EODY · European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control · Fadil Cana · Greece · Institute of Public Health

Claims

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

[● 6 SOURCES] No cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. n24.ba · zosradio.ba · novi.ba
[● 4 SOURCES] The West Nile virus is primarily transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the Culex genus. bbzinfo.hr · breaking.bg
[● 10 SOURCES] One patient in Croatia is on intensive care and connected to a respirator. rtv-hb.com · bbzinfo.hr · n1info.si · www.lokalec.si
[● 6 SOURCES] Twelve European countries have reported West Nile virus cases this year. rtv-hb.com · dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.si
[● 7 SOURCES] Greece has recorded 157 cases and 13 deaths from West Nile virus this year. rtv-hb.com · dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.si · www.lokalec.si
[● 8 SOURCES] North Macedonia has confirmed 44 cases of West Nile fever and five deaths. www.lokalec.si · ohridsky.com
[● 11 SOURCES] Three cases of West Nile virus were confirmed in Croatia during July and August. bbzinfo.hr · rtv-hb.com · dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.si · www.lokalec.si
[● 9 SOURCES] The patient on a respirator is over 80 years old and from the Zagreb area. rtv-hb.com · bbzinfo.hr · n1info.si · www.lokalec.si
[● 12 SOURCES] Approximately 80 percent of West Nile virus cases are asymptomatic. n24.ba · zosradio.ba · novi.ba · korcablog.com · verige.net · +4 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Serbia has recorded 11 cases of West Nile virus since the beginning of June. www.lokalec.si · dalmatinskiportal.hr · n1info.si · verige.net
[● 5 SOURCES] Increased spraying is being conducted in areas where cases are identified. www.bizznews.gr · patrapress.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The EODY prepares a national action plan annually to be implemented with regions and municipalities. www.bizznews.gr