Key facts
- The 2026 WNV season has affected a broader geographical area than any previous season, with numbers of human cases and animal outbreaks exceeding levels reported in previous years.
- Overall, there is no indication of increased disease severity in humans in Europe.
- Italy remains the most affected country, reporting the highest numbers of human cases and avian outbreaks.
- Greece and France reported their highest numbers of human WNV cases ever, with France also reporting a record number of equid outbreaks.
- The geographical distribution of reported WNV activity expanded in northern Europe. Human cases and animal outbreaks were detected across multiple regions in Belgium and the Netherlands, with Belgium reporting its first ever human WNV infections.
- WNV activity has declined since its August–September peak, but further cases may still be reported.
Overview
EU/EEA countries
In 2026, and as at 7 October, 13 countries in the EU/EEA have reported 1 715 locally acquired1 human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. The earliest and latest dates of symptom onset among human cases were 22 May in Italy and 30 September in Italy, respectively. Locally acquired cases have been reported by Italy (748 cases, of which 1 had an unknown place of infection), Greece (445 cases, of which 6 had an unknown place of infection), France (144 cases), Spain (139 cases), Romania (117 cases), the Netherlands (59 cases, of which 1 had an unknown place of infection), Croatia (16 cases), Belgium (15 cases), Cyprus (13 cases), Austria (8 cases), Hungary (5 cases), Germany (4 cases) and Bulgaria (2 cases). A total of 130 deaths have been reported by Italy (56 deaths), Greece (46 deaths), the Netherlands (10 deaths), Romania (7 deaths), Spain (6 deaths), France (3 deaths), Croatia (1 death) and Hungary (1 death).
The number of human cases reported in the EU/EEA to date (1 715 cases) exceeds the average number reported during the same period over the past decade (693 cases), and is the highest number of WNV infections in humans ever reported in the EU/EEA.
As at 7 October 2026, locally acquired human cases have been reported in 187 NUTS 3 regions across 13 EU/EEA countries, making it the most geographically widespread WNV season on record.
As in previous years, most cases were reported among males aged 65 years and above. Overall, 77% of cases were hospitalised and 57% presented with neurological symptoms, compared with 10-year averages of 84% and 62%, respectively. The case fatality rate was approximately 8%, below the 10-year average of 10%. These findings are within expected levels and do not indicate increased disease severity. Country-specific case fatality rates are affected by the sensitivity of the surveillance system, including screening practices of blood donors, therefore direct comparisons between countries should be made with caution.
EU candidate countries
In 2026, and as at 7 October, the following EU candidate countries have reported 140 locally acquired human cases of WNV infection: North Macedonia (70 cases), Serbia (57 cases), Kosovo* (8 cases), Albania (4 cases) and Moldova (1 cases, of which 1 had an unknown place of infection). The earliest and latest dates of symptom onset among human cases were 12 May in North Macedonia and 28 September in Serbia, respectively. A total of 11 deaths have been reported by North Macedonia (10 deaths) and Kosovo* (1 death).
Findings from veterinary surveillanceEU/EEA countries
From the veterinary perspective, 13 countries in the EU/EEA have reported 510 WNV outbreaks among equids and 591 outbreaks among birds in 2026. The earliest reported WNV outbreak among equids had a suspected start date of 30 March 2026 in France, while the most recent had a suspected start date of 2 October 2026 in Germany. Outbreaks among equids have been reported by France (307 outbreaks), Italy (72 outbreaks), Belgium (45 outbreaks), the Netherlands (24 outbreaks), Spain (18 outbreaks), Greece (14 outbreaks), Germany (13 outbreaks), Croatia (5 outbreaks), Austria (4 outbreaks), Portugal (4 outbreaks), Hungary (3 outbreaks) and Cyprus (1 outbreak). Among birds, the earliest reported WNV outbreak had a suspected start date of 31 March 2026 in Italy, while the most recent had a suspected start date of 29 September 2026 in Austria. Outbreaks among birds have been reported by Italy (353 outbreaks), Belgium (166 outbreaks), Germany (18 outbreaks), France (14 outbreaks), Croatia (13 outbreaks), Spain (12 outbreaks), Austria (10 outbreaks), Slovenia (4 outbreaks) and the Netherlands (1 outbreak).
No information was available on the equid species involved in the outbreaks reported in ADIS. The bird species most frequently associated with the reported outbreaks were the hooded crow (138 outbreaks) and the common magpie (104), followed by the carrion crow (80), the Eurasian jackdaw (45), the Northern goshawk (27), common wood-pigeon (20), the Eurasian blackbird (19), the little owl (18), and the common kestrel (15). Several other bird species were also reported, each associated with up to 13 outbreaks.
As at 7 October 2026, the numbers of equid and bird outbreaks reported in July, August and September notably exceeded their respective historical monthly averages (2016–2025 for equids and 2022–2025 for birds), ranging from about two to more than five times the historical monthly averages for equids and remaining at about twice the corresponding averages for birds. The cumulative number of bird and equid outbreaks reported so far in 2026 is the highest recorded for the same period in previous years.
Overall, so far in 2026, outbreaks in birds and/or equids have been reported in 186 NUTS 3 regions across 13 EU/EEA countries. This exceeds the geographical spread observed during this period in 2025, when outbreaks were reported in 113 NUTS 3 regions across 11 countries, as well as what has been observed in most previous years. The 2026 season was instead comparable to 2024, which was one of the most geographically widespread WNV seasons for animal outbreaks, with outbreaks in birds and/or equids reported in 188 regions across 14 countries.
Of the 13 EU/EEA countries that submitted data to ADIS in 2026, all had previously reported WNV outbreaks in birds and/or equids, consistent with endemic WNV circulation.
EU candidate countries and other European countries
In 2026, as at 7 October, one EU candidate country (North Macedonia) and Switzerland had reported WNV outbreaks in birds and/or equids. Switzerland reported one outbreak in equids, with a suspected start date of 21 July 2026. North Macedonia reported four outbreaks in birds, with suspected start dates ranging from 18 August to 7 September 2026.
If outbreaks reported by both EU/EEA and other European countries are considered, the geographical spread observed to date in 2026 in Europe is slightly greater than what was observed during the corresponding period in 2024.
Patterns across human and veterinary surveillanceEU/EEA countries
Most affected EU/EEA countries reported both human WNV infections and outbreaks in equids and/or birds. Romania only reported human WNV infections, while Portugal and Slovenia only reported outbreaks among equids and birds, respectively.
Differences in WNV patterns across European countries may reflect a combination of ecological, climatic and surveillance-related factors. Climatic conditions, habitat characteristics and the local abundance and distribution of competent mosquito vectors and bird hosts can influence WNV circulation. Differences in surveillance design, intensity, diagnostic practices and reporting may also affect the number of human infections and animal outbreaks detected.
Most human WNV infections are asymptomatic or subclinical. Consequently, the case numbers reported by EU/EEA countries represent only a fraction of the true number of infections. Furthermore, the reported numbers for of human cases and animal outbreaks, particularly for September, should be considered provisional, as reporting delays may lead to additional notifications in October or later.
A selection of country-specific findings is presented below to further illustrate the heterogeneity of WNV activity across Europe.
Italy
Italy remains the most affected country in 2026, reporting the highest number of WNV human cases (748, 44% of all reported human cases in the EU/EEA), including 56 deaths (case fatality rate: 7.5%). Italy also reported the highest number of outbreaks in birds (353; 59% of all avian outbreaks reported in the EU/EEA) and 72 outbreaks in equids (14% of all equid outbreaks reported in the EU/EEA). Nevertheless, the number of human cases reported was slightly lower than what was reported during the same period in 2025. As at 7 October 2026, the number of bird outbreaks notified to ADIS was the highest for the corresponding period since reporting became mandatory in 2021, while the number of equid outbreaks was higher than in the corresponding period of all previous years except 2018 and 2025. Overall, 79 of Italy’s 107 NUTS 3 regions are currently affected, with WNV human cases and/or animal outbreaks reported.
Greece
Greece has reported its highest number of human WNV cases for this time of year, with 445 cases, including 46 deaths (case fatality rate: 10%). WNV transmission is currently most intense in the Attica NUTS 2 region, which accounts for 218 cases, with the highest numbers reported in Anatoliki Attiki (East Attica, 102 cases) and Voreios Tomeas Athinon (North Athens, 63 cases). The Larisa NUTS 3 region accounts for 73 cases. Despite accounting for 26% of all reported human cases in the EU/EEA, Greece has reported only 14 outbreaks in equids, representing 2.7 % of all reported equid outbreaks, and no outbreaks in birds.
France
France had reported 144 locally acquired human WNV infections, including three deaths (case fatality rate: 2%), accounting for 8.4% of all cases in the EU/EEA. This is by far the highest number of cases ever reported by France. France reported the highest number of equid outbreaks among EU/EEA countries, with 307 outbreaks, accounting for 52% of the 595 reported outbreaks. This was also the highest number of WNV outbreaks in equids ever notified by France. A further 45 outbreaks were reported in birds.
The Netherlands
Fifty-nine human WNV infections have been reported in the Netherlands, including ten deaths (case fatality rate: 17%). The Netherlands previously reported locally acquired human WNV infections in 2020, when the country documented its first human cases, with seven cases reported in Utrecht (previously NL310) and one in the Arnhem/Nijmegen region (NL226). In addition, 24 outbreaks in equids and one in birds were reported in 2026. WNV was first reported in animals in the Netherlands in 2025, with a single equid outbreak. Overall, WNV infections in humans and/or animals were detected across 16 of the 40 NUTS 3 regions in the Netherlands this year.
Belgium
Belgium has reported 15 human WNV infections, representing the country’s first-ever reported human cases of WNV infection; no deaths were reported. Most cases had symptom onset in the second half of August. WNV was first detected in Belgium in 2025 through avian surveillance, with seven bird outbreaks reported in Arr. Mechelen (BE212), Arr. Dendermonde (BE232) and Arr. Halle-Vilvoorde (BE241). In 2026, WNV was again detected in birds in these three regions and spread to 15 additional NUTS 3 regions that had not previously reported WNV activity. Overall, 14 outbreaks in equids and 26 outbreaks in birds were reported across 18 of Belgium’s 44 NUTS 3 regions in 2026.
Other European countries
North Macedonia
North Macedonia is reporting an unprecedented number of human WNV infections, with 70 cases and 10 deaths (case fatality rate: 14 %) reported from five NUTS 3 regions. Two of these regions have also reported outbreaks among birds. The Skopski region, which includes the capital city of Skopje, is by far the most affected, accounting for 61 human WNV infections and three bird outbreaks. In 2026, North Macedonia reported WNV outbreak data to ADIS for the first time, with four bird outbreaks across two regions. In the past decade, the country had reported a maximum of five human WNV infections per year.
More information
The full monthly epidemiological report on human and animal surveillance data including maps and graphs is available at: Monthly updates: 2026 West Nile virus transmission season (europa.eu).
Updated figures on human WNV infections are published weekly at: (Weekly updates: 2026 West Nile virus transmission season (europa.eu).
More background information on the Commission Directives on blood safety and EU/EEA notifications of WNV infections can be found here.
ECDC assessment
In 2026, WNV activity peaked in humans at the end of August and in birds and equids in early September across Europe, followed by a marked decline. Though environmental conditions for WNV transmission are becoming less favourable, low-level transmission may continue in the coming weeks and additional cases are still expected to be reported.