{
  "id": 2433898,
  "title": "West Nile virus reported in 12 European countries: EU health agency",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/west-nile-virus-reported-in-12-european-countries-eu-health-agency",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-21T21:00:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-west-nile-virus-european-countries.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The European Union's health agency, the ECDC, reported on Friday that West Nile virus has been confirmed in 12 European countries this year. This mosquito-borne illness can cause symptoms akin to the flu, but in severe instances, it may lead to tremors, fever, comas, and brain tissue swelling known as encephalitis. The virus is also capable of inducing meningitis. The affected nations are Albania, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Spain, with infections documented in 99 regions, according to the Stockholm-based ECDC. Italy and Greece recorded the highest number of cases—311 and 157, respectively.\n\nCeline Gossner, head of ECDC's department for food, water, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, emphasized the need to bolster Europe's mosquito-control capabilities due to the virus's expanding transmission and the proliferation of invasive mosquito species. ECDC stresses that comprehensive mosquito control necessitates collaborative efforts across Europe, encompassing mosquito surveillance, community involvement, and environmentally friendly mosquito control methods.\n\nTypically, human infections occur during the mosquito season, spanning from late spring to autumn, with peak transmission between July and September. Currently, there are no approved human vaccines or specific treatments for West Nile virus; management focuses on symptom mitigation and supportive hospital care for severe cases. Although mosquitoes responsible for spreading West Nile virus (Culex mosquitoes) are already prevalent in Europe, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which can transmit dengue and chikungunya, has been established in 16 European countries, twice as many as 12 years prior. The ECDC reported that West Nile virus transmission has been documented in 99 regions across the 12 affected countries, with Italy and Greece reporting the most cases. Twenty-one regions reported their first-ever cases, surpassing the geographic spread observed during the same period in 2025. As no human vaccine or specific antiviral treatment exists, prevention relies on mosquito surveillance and control.",
  "summary": "Twelve countries in Europe have reported locally acquired cases of West Nile virus so far this year, the EU health agency said Friday, urging the continent to boost its control efforts.",
  "key_points": [
    "West Nile virus confirmed in 12 European countries in 2025",
    "Italy and Greece report highest cases with 311 and 157 infections",
    "No vaccines or specific treatments available for West Nile virus"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}