- Five more municipalities have recorded human West Nile virus infections.
- The number of affected municipalities has risen to 45, including 29 in Attica.
- Nine additional municipalities have been classified as high-risk despite having no confirmed human cases.
- EODY warns that high-risk areas have previously gone on to report infections.
- Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or only mild illness.
- People over 50, those who are immunocompromised, and people with underlying conditions face a higher risk of severe disease.
Health officials from the National Public Health Organization (EODY) have updated the epidemiological map for West Nile virus, adding five new municipalities to the list of affected areas and raising the nationwide total to 45.
The latest additions include Dionysos, Petroupoli, and Kallithea in the Attica region, alongside Alexandria (Imathia) and Thiva (Central Greece). Attica remains the central hub of concern, hosting 29 of the 45 affected municipalities.
Expanding Zones and Cases
Beyond the primary list, EODY designated nine additional municipalities as high-risk zones. While these neighboring areas have yet to record human cases, mosquito surveillance, animal sampling, and regional geography indicate the virus is circulating nearby. Health officials cautioned that high-risk zones frequently transition into fully affected zones as summer progresses.
A major challenge with West Nile virus lies in its hidden transmission patterns. The vast majority of infected individuals experience no symptoms at all. Epidemiological studies estimate that for every severe case affecting the central nervous system, roughly 140 people contract mild or asymptomatic infections.
When symptoms do present, they typically manifest as:
- Sudden fever, headache, and severe fatigue;
- Muscle aches and joint pain;
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
- Transient skin rashes.
Vulnerable Groups and Prevention
While young and healthy individuals often recover without complications, severe forms of the disease—such as encephalitis or meningitis—pose significant threats to specific populations. Individuals over the age of 50, immunocompromised patients, and those managing chronic underlying health conditions face the highest risk of severe illness.
Health authorities recommend personal protective measures, including applying insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, wearing long sleeves during dawn and dusk, eliminating standing water sources near homes, and using window screens or air conditioning to reduce indoor mosquito exposure.
