West Nile virus reported in 12 European countries

Twelve European countries have reported locally-acquired cases of West Nile virus this year, according to the EU health agency. Italy and Greece have the highest number of cases, with 311 and 157 respectively. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and can cause symptoms similar to flu, as well as more severe conditions such as tremors, fever, comas, meningitis, and swelling of the brain tissue known as encephalitis.

Infections have been reported in 99 regions across the 12 countries, including Albania, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Spain. The ECDC, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, has urged the continent to strengthen its mosquito-control efforts.

Most human infections occur between late spring and autumn, with peak transmission between July and September. There are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the virus, and care is limited to managing symptoms and providing supportive treatment for severe cases. The Asian tiger mosquito, which can also transmit dengue and chikungunya, is now found in 16 European countries, up from 12 years ago.