Greece has recorded 324 cases of West Nile virus since the beginning of this year’s surveillance period, including 34 new locally acquired cases reported over the past week.
According to the latest figures from the National Public Health Organization (EODY), 217 patients developed central nervous system symptoms, including encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis. Another 107 people experienced milder symptoms.
There have been 30 deaths linked to the virus as of September 9. All of the patients who died were over the age of 65.
Heraklion and Rethymno among affected areas
Crete is now under EODY surveillance, with human cases reported in the regional units of Heraklion and Rethymno.
The municipality of Hersonissos has also been classified as a high-risk area, although no human cases have been reported there during this year’s transmission period.
EODY’s classification considers several factors, including the municipality’s proximity to areas where the virus has already been detected, local geographical characteristics, and current and previous epidemiological data.
With mosquitoes still enjoying the Cretan summer, the presence of West Nile virus in the Heraklion area is another reason residents and visitors should take precautions.
Virus detected in 73 municipalities
Across Greece, West Nile virus cases have now been reported in 73 municipalities and 22 regional units, including areas of Attica, Thessaly, Central and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Peloponnese, Central Greece and Crete.
EODY expects additional cases may be reported in the coming weeks, both in areas where the virus is already circulating and in new locations.
Transmission has been particularly strong in Attica this year, where case numbers are higher than in previous years.
Mosquito season is not over yet
EODY recommends that people throughout Greece continue taking measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites for the remainder of the mosquito season.
The geographical spread of West Nile virus cannot be predicted with certainty, so the absence of reported human cases in a particular area does not necessarily mean the virus is absent.
For Crete, the latest figures put Heraklion and Rethymno on the list of areas where human cases have been detected, while Hersonissos remains under increased surveillance.
In other words, the mosquitoes have not received the memo that summer is supposed to be winding down.
