Pieter Smit is a microbiologist by training, with a specialisation in international public health. He completed his PhD at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine before joining the EUPHEM programme.
On 7 and 10 July, the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) reported the first two human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Greece this year. When looking at the epidemiology of WNV infection in Greece since 2010, one can observe a progressive geographical expansion of WNV transmission throughout the country. For this reason, these newly confirmed cases in Athens do not come unexpected.
In response to the malaria outbreak in Greece in 2011, ECDC organised an expert consultation on Plasmodium vivax transmission in Europe on 17 and 18 January 2012. The overall objective of this consultation was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the malaria transmission potential in Greece and in Europe in order to propose recommendations for actions for preparedness and response at the EU and country levels.
The ECDC risk, as assessed on 23 August 2011, remains unchanged. The main risk is to persons residing in, visiting and working in the affected areas of Greece, particularly Evrotas in Lakonia. The risk for further extension of malaria transmission into the EU as a result of this event is considered low at present. EU national blood competent authorities should be considering whether to implement deferral measures for persons returning from these specific affected areas in Greece, taking into consideration measures currently implemented by the Greek blood safety authorities and after a considered risk assessment in collaboration with their national public health authorities.
This second consultation meeting of experts on West Nile virus infection was organised to obtain an overview of the changing epidemiology of West Nile virus in Europe during 2010, with the idea of proposing recommendations for improved public health preparedness and local response during outbreaks.