West Nile fever in Europe in 2018 - human cases compared to the previous season; updated 19 October

In 2018, as of 18 October 2018, EU Member States have reported 1 436 human cases in Italy (550), Greece (302), Romania (268), Hungary (212), Croatia (45), France (24), Austria (19), Bulgaria (11), Slovenia (3) and the Czech Republic (2). EU neighbouring countries reported 498 human cases in Serbia (385), Israel (110) and Kosovo* (3). To date, 172 deaths due to West Nile virus infection have been reported by Italy (44), Greece (41), Romania (38), Serbia (35), Bulgaria (1), the Czech Republic (1), Hungary (1) and Kosovo* (1).

In September 2018 in Germany, a veterinarian was diagnosed with suspected WNV infection after performing an autopsy on a deceased owl found in a wildlife park near Poing, Ebersberg, Bavaria, Germany. WNV was detected in the owl by PCR in tissue samples recovered during the autopsy.

During the current transmission season, 243 outbreaks among equids have been reported by Italy (128), Hungary (84), Greece (14), France (8), Romania (2), Germany (2), Spain (2), Austria (1), Slovenia (1) and Portugal (1).

In accordance with European Commission Directive 2014/110/EU, prospective blood donors should defer for 28 days after leaving an area with evidence of West Nile virus circulation among humans unless the results of an individual nucleic acid test are negative.