Europe Reports 1,086 Locally Acquired West Nile Virus Cases

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has confirmed 1,086 locally acquired cases of West Nile virus infection in 15 European countries since the start of the current transmission season up to 3 September.

In its latest weekly update, the centre reported a sharp acceleration in case numbers: only 241 infections had been recorded across seven countries at the beginning of August.

Country-Specific Case Totals

Italy reported the highest national total, with 516 cases. Greece followed with 284 cases, and Spain recorded 88 cases.

The virus has spread across 144 European regions, including 62 regions in Italy. The centre cautioned that the reported figures do not necessarily reflect the full extent of transmission.

Transmission Mechanism

West Nile virus circulates primarily among wild birds via mosquitoes. Infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans.