West Nile virus - human cases compared to previous seasons, 23 August 2023

Since last week’s update, and as of 23 August 2023, European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries reported 104 human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and 8 deaths related to WNV infections. Cases were reported by Italy (79), Greece (10), France (6), Hungary (6) and Romania (3). Deaths were reported by Italy (3), Greece (3) and Romania (2). EU-neighbouring countries reported 15 human cases of WNV infection. Cases were reported by Serbia (15). No deaths related to WNV infections were reported by EU-neighbouring countries.

This week, among the reporting countries, the following NUTS 3 or GAUL1 regions have reported autochthonous human cases of WNV infection for the first time since the start of this season: Drama in Greece, Var in France, Fejér and Budapest in Hungary, Vicenza, Rovigo, Asti, Alessandria and Trapani in Italy and Galaţi in Romania.
Since the beginning of the 2023 transmission season and as of 23 August 2023, EU/EEA countries have reported 229 human cases of WNV infection in Italy (135), Greece (58), France (13), Hungary (11), Romania (9), Germany (2) and Spain (1). EU/EEA countries have reported 17 deaths in Greece (8), Italy (6) and Romania (3). EU-neighbouring countries have reported 39 human cases of WNV infection in Serbia (38) and North Macedonia (1). No deaths related to WNV infections were reported by EU-neighbouring countries.

During the current transmission season, within the reporting countries, autochthonous human cases of WNV infection were reported from 71 different NUTS 3 or GAUL 1 regions, of which the following regions reported autochthonous human cases of WNV infection for the first time ever: Charente-Maritime, Alpes-Maritimes and Gironde in France, Kastoria in Greece and Huelva in Spain.