Netherlands reports West Nile virus death
Dutch authorities said Wednesday that a patient had died from West Nile virus, which has seen a growing number of cases in Europe this year.
Dutch health authorities announced on Wednesday that a patient had succumbed to West Nile virus, as the mosquito-borne illness continues to spread across Europe. North Macedonia reported its fifth death this year from the virus on Saturday. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) confirmed the deceased was from Utrecht province and had contracted the virus within the Netherlands before succumbing in a hospital.
This marks three probable locally-acquired cases of West Nile virus in the Netherlands in 2026. The virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites after the insects feed on infected birds. While the virus does not spread between humans, there is no vaccine or treatment available. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 12 European countries, including Albania, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, and Spain, have reported cases this year.
The WHO urged European nations to bolster mosquito surveillance due to the increasing number of cases. Most infections are asymptomatic, with only 1% developing severe neurological symptoms, such as tremors, fever, comas, and brain swelling.
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