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9 clusters · 135 sources · 59 days · First seen · Last updated

West Nile virus surge expands across Europe

Overview

By late September 2026, the West Nile virus outbreak has expanded across Europe, with the total number of locally acquired infections rising to 1,569. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that this surge exceeds the total case numbers recorded in 2025, 2024, and 2022.

Italy remains the most heavily impacted nation with 696 confirmed cases, with infections spread widely around Rome, Padua, and Milan. Greece follows with 355 cases. As of early September, 61 deaths have been attributed to the virus, with 49 of those fatalities occurring in Italy and Greece.

Other significant infection counts include Spain (125), France (102), Romania (91), and North Macedonia (69). In Serbia, the Dr Milan Jovanović Batut Institute has reported 53 confirmed cases across 11 districts since the start of the surveillance season. Of these Serbian cases, 49 individuals developed a severe form of the illness. Belgrade has recorded the highest number of infections in the country with 20 cases, followed by the South Bačka district with nine. While the institute reports 53 cases, Professor Darko Nožić has suggested official figures may significantly underrepresent the scale, estimating between 4,000 and 5,000 potential infections.

Germany has documented four infections in Berlin, Leipzig, and the Rhein-Pfalz district. In the Balkans, the National Institute of Public Health (IKSHPK) in Kosovo confirmed seven positive cases between August 7 and September 18, resulting in two deaths. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent the disease, which is transmitted via mosquito bites.

Entities

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control · Greece · Spain · North Macedonia · Italy

Claims

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

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "Five patients are currently in intensive care in North Macedonia."

    vs

    "Six patients in Macedonia are currently in critical condition and receiving intensive care."

    The first claim states six patients are in intensive care in Macedonia, while the second states five patients are in intensive care.

  • "Macedonia has recorded 35 confirmed cases and three deaths from West Nile virus."

    vs

    "Four people have died from West Nile fever in North Macedonia."

    The first claim asserts three deaths in Macedonia, while the second asserts four deaths.

  • "North Macedonia has registered 38 cases of West Nile fever, including 36 confirmed and two probable cases."

    vs

    "North Macedonia has reported eight deaths and 56 cases of West Nile virus this year." athina984.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.tanea.gr

    The first claim states North Macedonia has 38 cases, while the second states 56 cases.

  • "Macedonia has recorded 35 confirmed cases and three deaths from West Nile virus."

    vs

    "North Macedonia has reported eight deaths and 56 cases of West Nile virus this year." athina984.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.tanea.gr

    The first claim asserts 35 confirmed cases in Macedonia, while the second asserts 56 cases.

  • "Greece has recorded 355 cases of the virus." www.fehmarn24.de · www.diepresse.com · www.hna.de · www.op-online.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · +4 more

    vs

    "As of August 12, 110 cases of West Nile virus have been recorded in Greece."

    The first claim states Greece has 110 cases, while the second states Greece has 355 cases.

  • "Italy has recorded the highest number of cases with 696 confirmed infections." www.fehmarn24.de · www.diepresse.com · www.hna.de · www.op-online.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · +4 more

    vs

    "Italy has the highest number of infections with 516 cases, followed by Greece with 284 and Spain with 88." zajecaronline.com · www.vol.at · 6yka.com · www.novinky.cz · europske.noviny.sk · +3 more

    The first claim states Italy has 696 infections, while the second states Italy has 516 infections.

  • "Italy has the highest number of infections with 516 cases, followed by Greece with 284 and Spain with 88." zajecaronline.com · www.vol.at · 6yka.com · www.novinky.cz · europske.noviny.sk · +3 more

    vs

    "As of August 12, 110 cases of West Nile virus have been recorded in Greece."

    The first claim states Greece has 110 cases, while the second states Greece has 284 cases.

  • "As of August 12, 110 cases of West Nile virus have been recorded in Greece."

    vs

    "Greece recorded 110 West Nile virus cases as of August 12."

    The first claim states Greece has 110 cases as of August 12, while the second claim asserts 110 cases but does not specify the date, though they are compatible; however, clm_3bc922d5-598d-44ed-b5c3-11

  • "Greece has recorded 355 cases of the virus." www.fehmarn24.de · www.diepresse.com · www.hna.de · www.op-online.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de · +4 more

    vs

    "Italy has the highest number of infections with 516 cases, followed by Greece with 284 and Spain with 88." zajecaronline.com · www.vol.at · 6yka.com · www.novinky.cz · europske.noviny.sk · +3 more

    The first claim states Greece has 355 cases, while the second states Greece has 284 cases.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [HEALTH] 7 sources
    Serbia reports 53 West Nile fever cases across 11 districts

    Serbia has recorded 53 cases of West Nile fever across 11 districts, with 49 patients developing severe symptoms. The outbreak, spread by mosquitoes, has seen the highest concentration in Belgrade.

  2. 4 days ago

    [HEALTH] 14 sources
    West Nile virus cases surge across Europe with 1,569 infections reported

    West Nile virus cases are surging in Europe, with 1,569 local infections reported by the ECDC. Italy and Greece are most affected, with 61 total deaths recorded across the continent so far.

  3. 8 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    West Nile virus cases rise in Serbia amid extended mosquito season

    Infectious disease specialist Darko Nožić reports that most West Nile virus cases in Serbia are asymptomatic or mild, though an extended mosquito season has led to an increase in registered infections.

  4. 11 days ago

    [HEALTH] 7 sources
    West Nile virus cases reported in Serbia and Kosovo

    West Nile virus cases are rising in the Balkans and Europe, with 46 cases reported in Serbia and seven in Kosovo, including two fatalities. Most infections are asymptomatic or mild.

  5. 17 days ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    West Nile virus activity reported in Serbia while Republika Srpska remains unaffected

    While Republika Srpska reports no West Nile virus cases this year, Serbia has recorded 43 cases, primarily affecting older populations, with most cases being non-neuroinvasive.

  6. 20 days ago

    [HEALTH] 26 sources
    West Nile virus cases rise across Europe and the United States

    West Nile virus cases are rising in Europe and the US. Belgium, France, and Romania report multiple human infections and deaths, while Massachusetts has raised its risk level to moderate.

  7. 27 days ago

    [HEALTH] 21 sources
    West Nile virus spreads across Europe with over 1,000 cases reported

    West Nile virus cases are surging across Europe, with over 1,000 infections reported in 15 countries. Italy, Greece, and Spain are heavily affected, while North Macedonia reports eight deaths.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 65 sources
    West Nile virus cases rise across Greece, North Macedonia, and Spain

    West Nile virus cases are rising across Southeast Europe, with significant outbreaks reported in Greece and North Macedonia, leading to multiple deaths and neuroinvasive complications.

  9. 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 18 sources
    West Nile virus outbreak in Greece reaches 65 cases, 6 deaths

    Greece reports 65 West Nile cases (23 new this week), 54 with CNS involvement, six deaths over 65, and 20 hospitalised. Blood donations from affected areas face enhanced testing. Italy logs 84 cases, two deaths

Sources

072info.com · 24ur.com · 6yka.com · a1on.mk · adevarul.ro · aktuelno.me · alfa.mk · athina984.gr · bosnainfo.ba · boston.com · bursahakimiyet.com.tr · consalud.es · cretaone.gr · dalmacijadanas.hr · deia.eus · denesen.mk · deutschlandsuchtdensuperstar.de · diariodealmeria.es · diariodesevilla.es · DiePresse.com · dukagjini.com · e-vima.gr · eldiadecordoba.es · elpueblo.com · english.republika.mk · enikos.gr · epochtimestr.com · ertnews.gr · europske.noviny.sk · extremaduradiario.com · faktiditor.ch · fehmarn24.de · gazetedamga.com.tr · gazeteport.com.tr · gazeteyenisoz.com · gazzetta.gr · gradsubotica.co.rs · grtimes.gr · guvengazetesi.com.tr · haber61.net · haber7.com · healthweb.gr · hna.de · ieidiseis.gr · infokosova.net · inforadar.be · insider.gr · it-boltwise.de

This summary has been updated 39 times: see revision history