{
  "id": 290489,
  "title": "Infectious disease: More than 240 cases of West Nile fever in Europe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/infektionskrankheit-mehr-als-240-falle-von-west-nil-fieber-in-europa",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-08T02:00:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/forschung-innovation/infektionskrankheit-mehr-als-240-faelle-von-west-nil-fieber-in-europa/100245903.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In Europe, more than 240 infections with the West Nile virus have been reported since the start of the season.\nA total of 241 cases were registered in seven European countries up to last Wednesday, in which people were infected locally - they had not been infected while traveling.\nThe European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported 139 cases from Italy, 61 from Greece, 17 from Spain and 13 from North Macedonia.\nAccording to the report, six cases were registered in Romania, four in France and one in Germany.\nThis was in the Rhein-Pfalz district in Rhineland-Palatinate, as already known at the end of July.\nA total of five cases were registered in Germany this year.\n20 percent of those infected develop flu-like illnesses\n\nOverall, 59 areas in Europe are affected.\nMore than half of these areas - 36 - are in Italy, particularly in the north of the country.\nHowever, the authority emphasized that this is not a comprehensive representation of the transmission process.\nThe World Health Organization (WHO) had recently called for increased vigilance due to several cases of West Nile fever in Southern Europe.\nAccording to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), about 20 percent of those infected develop a febrile, flu-like illness.\nOnly about one in 100 infected people become seriously ill.\nThe virus is mainly transmitted between wild birds by mosquitoes.\nBut the mosquitoes can also infect humans.\nWest Nile fever usually heals without complications, only in severely ill patients are late effects relatively common.\n\nHow to protect oneself\nThe RKI states that West Nile fever, caused by viruses, is treated symptomatically.\nThere is no specific therapy and no vaccine.\nIn places with known mosquito infestation, the RKI recommends wearing long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long pants.\nIn addition to insect repellents, mosquito nets and window screens are also useful.\nIn the living environment, mosquito breeding sites should be eliminated as far as possible.\nThe insects also lay eggs in small water accumulations - such as buckets, saucers and clogged gutters.",
  "summary": "Since the start of the season, Europe has reported more than 240 cases of West Nile fever. Italy is particularly affected. The WHO has called for increased vigilance.",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 240 West Nile fever cases recorded in Europe since season start.",
    "Italy reported 139 cases, Greece 61, Spain 17, North Macedonia 13.",
    "59 European regions affected, Italy accounting for 36 regions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rising West Nile fever cases across Europe, particularly in Italy and Greece, signal a growing public health concern, prompting vigilance and preventative measures against mosquito-borne transmission.",
  "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."
}