A public health alert has been issued across Greece following a sharp rise in locally acquired West Nile virus (WNV) cases, with the majority concentrated in Attica. According to Theodoros Vasilakopoulos, President of Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY), the outbreak is intensifying—and is expected to continue through mid-September before gradually declining in October.
Surge in Cases and Fatalities
The latest EODY surveillance report confirms 75 new domestic WNV infections reported over the past week alone—bringing the national total to 232 cases since the start of 2026, as of 26 August at 11:00 a.m. Of these, 165 patients developed neurological complications—including encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis—while 67 experienced milder or asymptomatic forms of the disease.
Nineteen fatalities have been recorded among confirmed WNV cases, all in individuals aged over 65. The median age of those who died was 85 years, with ages ranging from 66 to 92.
Geographic Spread
Eastern Attica remains the epicenter, accounting for more than half of all reported cases. However, sporadic cases are now emerging across much of the country—a notable shift from previous years’ more localized patterns.
Why Is This Outbreak So Severe?
Vasilakopoulos emphasized that this is an unusually large and unexpected surge. While no single factor fully explains the spike, climatic conditions appear central. He pointed to Greece’s exceptionally warm winter—the second hottest in 150 years—as a key driver: warmer temperatures allowed mosquito populations to survive and begin breeding earlier than usual.
This was followed by a wet, humid spring marked by heavy rainfall—ideal conditions for mosquito larvae development. “Rain creates stagnant water pools, which serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” Vasilakopoulos explained during an interview with SKAI TV.
He stressed that while weather plays a major role, the trajectory of the outbreak will also depend on how effectively vector control measures—such as larviciding, public awareness campaigns, and targeted spraying—are implemented in the coming weeks.
“We’re facing a significant outbreak—one not previously observed at this scale in Greece,” he said. “There is no precise scientific model to predict WNV spread in every affected country, but our response must be swift, coordinated, and adaptive.”