West Nile virus: 75 new cases in a week, 232 infections and 19 deaths in Greece

As of 26 August, a total of 19 deaths had been reported, all among patients aged over 65. West Nile virus cases in Greece have risen worryingly, with 75 new locally acquired infections recorded in just one week. According to the latest weekly report by the National Public Health Organisation (EODY), the total number of cases for the 2026 transmission season has now reached 232. Of all patients, 165 developed symptoms affecting the central nervous system (CNS), such as encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis, while 67 had a milder form of the disease or no neurological symptoms at all. As of 26 August, 19 deaths had been recorded, all in patients aged over 65. Hospitals remain under significant pressure. In total, 73 patients were in hospital, 26 of them in intensive care units and one in a high-dependency unit; 124 patients had already been discharged. Attica at the epicentre Attica is at the centre of this year’s surge, with EODY reporting particularly intense circulation of the virus and more cases than previous years. Overall, cases have been recorded and investigated in 61 municipalities, 18 regional units and five regions of the country: Attica, Thessaly, Central Macedonia, Peloponnese and Central Greece. Eastern Attica appears particularly hard hit. In the municipality of Spata-Artemida, a total of 17 cases have been recorded, 15 of them with CNS involvement. In Markopoulo Mesogaias, there have been 13 cases, while a significant number of infections have also been detected in Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Agia Paraskevi, Pallini and Halandri. Outside Attica, higher circulation of the virus is also being reported in Thessaly. In the municipality of Larissa, 21 cases have been registered in total, while infections have also been reported in Karditsa, Palamas, Sofades, Kileler, Tempi, Tyrnavos and Farsala. In Central Macedonia, cases have been recorded in areas of the regional units of Imathia, Thessaloniki, Pella, Pieria and Serres, including Veria, Pella, Skydra and Katerini. New areas on the authorities' radar Beyond the municipalities where human infections have already been detected, the competent authorities have designated additional areas as "high risk", based on epidemiological and geomorphological data. The list includes the municipalities of Heraklion of Attica, Nea Smyrni, Nea Filadelfeia-Nea Chalkidona, Dafni-Ymittos, Amfipoli and Thasos. In these areas, no human cases had been recorded up to that point, but EODY believes that a combination of factors is increasing the risk of transmission. Signs of virus circulation have also been detected through surveillance in equidae. Recent infections have been identified in nine clusters in the regional units of Eastern Attica, Western Athens, Drama and Preveza, as well as in the Metropolitan Unit of Thessaloniki. EODY warns that in the coming period the diagnosis of additional cases, both in already affected areas and in new ones, is considered likely. It also stresses that the figures for recent weeks may be revised upwards, as several days can pass between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis and official notification of a case.