West Nile virus in Europe in 2020 - human cases, updated 22 October 2020

Between 16 and 22 October 2020, EU Member States reported seven human cases of WNV infection: Greece (5), Spain (1) and the Netherlands (1). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, no deaths were reported. No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Since the start of the 2020 transmission season and as of 22 October 2020, EU Member States have reported 306 human cases of WNV infection and 34 deaths through TESSy: Greece (142, including 20 deaths), Spain (76, including 7 deaths), Italy (65, including 5 deaths), Germany (12), Romania (6, including 1 death), Hungary (3), Bulgaria (1, including 1 death) and the Netherlands (1). Pazardzhik Province in Bulgaria, the Province of Badajoz in Spain, and five regions in Germany (regions of Barnim, Ostprignitz-Ruppin, Saalekreis, Halle (Saale) and Meissen) reported locally-acquired human cases of WNV infection for the first time. All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, 173 outbreaks among equids have been reported. These outbreaks have been reported by Spain (131), Germany (20), Italy (12), France (5), Portugal (2), Austria (2) and Hungary (1) through the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS). Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, two outbreaks among birds have been reported through ADNS, both by Bulgaria.