West Nile virus in Europe in 2021 - infections among humans and outbreaks among equids and/or birds, updated 23 September 2021

Between 17 and 23 September 2021, European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries reported 9 human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and 1 deaths related to WNV infections. Cases were reported by Greece (5) and Italy (4). Deaths were reported by Greece (1). EU-neighbouring countries reported 2 human cases of WNV infection in Serbia (2) and no deaths related to WNV infections.

Since the beginning of the 2021 transmission season and as of 23 September 2021, EU/EEA countries have reported 107 human cases of WNV infection in Greece (48), Italy (36), Romania (7), Spain (5), Hungary (5), Austria (3) and Germany (3) and 7 deaths in Greece (5), Spain (1) and Romania (1). EU-neighbouring countries have reported 15 human cases of WNV infection in Serbia (15) and 3 deaths in Serbia (3).

During the current transmission season, within the reporting countries, human cases of WNV infection were reported from 42 different NUTS 3 or GAUL 1 regions, of which the following regions reported human cases of WNV infection for the first time: Spree-Neiße in Germany and La Spezia in Italy.

Since the beginning of the 2021 transmission season, 15 outbreaks among equids and 4 outbreaks among birds have been reported by EU/EEA countries. Outbreaks among equids have been reported by Germany (9), Spain (4) and Hungary (2). Outbreaks among birds have been reported by Spain (4).