API
< Back to all clusters
[HEALTH] · Albania, Greece, North Macedonia, Hungary, Croatia · 135 sources (showing 100)

started · updated

West Nile virus outbreak spreads across Southeast Europe

A significant outbreak of West Nile virus is spreading across Southeast Europe, with health authorities reporting rising infection rates and fatalities. In Greece, 157 cases and 13 deaths have been recorded, with many patients suffering from central nervous system complications such as encephalitis or meningitis.

North Macedonia has also faced a severe situation, reporting 43 infections and 5 deaths, leading to an epidemic declaration in several areas near the capital. In Albania, the first confirmed case of 2026 was identified in Korçë County, involving a 72-year-old individual. Health officials in Albania are conducting epidemiological and entomological investigations to monitor mosquito activity.

Other regional reports include Hungary, which identified its first case of the year in a 66-year-old man in Budapest. Croatia has confirmed three cases, and Serbia has identified 11 infected individuals since early June. Experts note that while approximately 80 percent of those infected remain asymptomatic, the virus poses a high risk to the elderly and immunocompromised, often transmitted through the bites of infected Culex mosquitoes.

Entities

Albania · Croatia · Croatia Institute of Public Health · European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control · Greece · Hungary · Institute of Public Health · Italy · JAMA · Korçë · Medical Association of Athens · Ministry of Health of North Macedonia

Claims

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

Sources