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3 clusters · 102 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

West Nile virus outbreak in Europe

Overview

Europe is experiencing a significant rise in West Nile virus cases during the 2026 transmission season. As of late September, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported over 1,500 locally acquired infections across the continent, surpassing totals from 2022, 2024, and 2025. Italy remains the most heavily impacted nation with approximately 696 cases, with infections spread widely around Rome, Padua, and Milan.

In Greece, the situation has intensified. The National Public Health Organization (EODY) recorded 396 locally acquired cases as of September 24, resulting in 36 deaths. All recorded fatalities in Greece occurred in patients over the age of 60, with a median age of 83. Furthermore, 255 Greek patients experienced central nervous system complications, such as encephalitis or meningitis. EODY has classified 17 Greek municipalities as high-risk areas, including four in Crete: Rethymno, Archanes-Asterousia, Heraklion, and Hersonissos. Authorities continue to urge mosquito protection measures to mitigate transmission.

Other significant case counts include Spain (125), France (102), Romania (91), North Macedonia (69), Serbia (46), and the Netherlands (28). Germany has also reported cases in Berlin, Leipzig, and the Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis. While current numbers exceed recent years, the historical record remains 2,083 cases in 2018.

Entities

West Nile virus · Spain · European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control · Greece · Italy

Claims

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

Coverage disagrees

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Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 65 sources
    West Nile virus cases surge across Europe, hitting Italy and Greece hardest

    West Nile virus cases exceed 1,500 in Europe, with Italy and Greece most affected. Greece reports 396 cases and 36 deaths, leading EODY to designate 17 municipalities as high-risk areas.

  2. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Grosseto man dies from West Nile virus complications

    An 89-year-old former official has died in Grosseto, Italy, from West Nile virus complications, prompting local disinfection efforts amid rising regional infection rates.

  3. [HEALTH] 37 sources
    West Nile virus cases surge across Europe, led by Italy and Greece

    Europe has recorded 1,285 locally acquired West Nile virus cases in 2026. Italy leads with 590 cases, while Greece has reported a record 324 cases and 30 deaths.

Sources

ad-hoc-news.de · affaritaliani.it · agenziaimpress.it · allgaeuer-anzeigeblatt.de · ameve.eu · arezzonotizie.it · bandab.com.br · bbv-net.de · bibliotheque.fr · biomedicalcue.it · blunote.it · calabrianews.it · cosenzachannel.it · cosenzapost.it · cronacheancona.it · dattelner-morgenpost.de · demagog.cz · dnews.gr · dorstenerzeitung.de · eenvandaag.avrotros.nl · enikos.gr · f5haber.com · fehmarn24.de · general-anzeiger-bonn.de · genovatoday.it · gonews.it · halternerzeitung.de · hjemmelavet.dk · ilcuoioindiretta.it · ilgiornale.ch · ilgiornaledicaivano.it · ilrestodelcarlino.it · iltelegrafolivorno.it · imgpress.it · knmvd.nl · kurierverlag.de · lacronicabadajoz.com · lagazzettadelcalatino.it · laltravoce.com · lanovitaonline.it · larisanew.gr · larissanet.gr · latinatoday.it · leinetal24.de · linkoristano.it · manifesto.co.uk · maremmaoggi.net · marler-zeitung.de

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history