During the summer months, Greece and Italy are facing an increasing spread of West Nile virus. The disease is transmitted to humans mainly through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
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The National Public Health Organization of Greece announced that 23 new cases had been identified during the past week alone. The total number of recorded infections since the start of the transmission season in spring has reached 65.
In 54 of the cases, patients developed severe neurological complications, including encephalitis, meningitis or acute paralysis. The virus has also caused 6 deaths, all among people over the age of 65 whose nervous systems had been severely affected.
According to a warning from the Greek authorities, the actual scale of the spread may be significantly greater than the official figures. This is because some infected people experience only mild symptoms, while others show no signs of the disease at all.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports that the virus is circulating in several European countries, including Italy, Romania, France, North Macedonia, Spain and Germany.
With 94 reported cases, Italy has the highest number, while a significant increase in infections is being observed in several regions of Greece.
Experts stress that avoiding mosquito bites remains the main way to reduce the risk of infection.
