Search

In April 2011, upon request from the Greek Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, a joint ECDC/WHO Regional Office for Europe mission was undertaken to Greece to assess the situation related to the increased migration at the Greek–Turkish border. The objective of the mission was to assist Greek health authorities in assessing the public health risks related to the increased migration and to communicable diseases in particular.

Greece reports six cases of Plasmodium vivax infection in Evrotas, Lakonia, Peloponnese region, and Chalkida in Evoia since June 2011. The main risk related to the current event is to persons living in, visiting and working in the particular area of Evrotas in the district of Lakonia (and potentially Chalkida in Evoia, though more information is needed) in Greece.

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.

Most European countries reported no changes in the rate of newly diagnosed cases of HIV or HIV prevalence in IDU in 2011.

The assessment teams reviewed the risks of potential re-establishment of malaria transmission in Greece, and proposed prevention measures in the specific areas concerned and across the country.

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.

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.

Locally acquired cases of malaria have been occurring in Greece since 2009, with the highest numbers reported in 2011. In 2012, local malaria transmission was still ongoing, but fewer cases were reported.