69 Cases Of West Nile Virus Have Been Found In Europe

JAKARTA - The European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) revealed 69 cases of West Nile (WNV) virus infection were confirmed to have occurred on the continent in the past seven months amid weather conditions supporting its spread.

"That number is still in the previous estimated range," the ECDC said on Monday, August 12.

"From 2024 to July 31, eight countries in Europe reported 69 cases of WNV infection in locally transmitted humans," the Swedish-based institution said in a statement.

The cases were reported by Greece (31), Italy (25), Spain (5), Austria (2), Hungary (2), Serbia (2), France (1), and Romania (1).

Meanwhile, eight deaths from WNV were reported to have occurred in Greece (5), Italy (2), and Spain (1).

"Over Europe, the total cases reported so far this year are in the estimated range. Clinical indicators and severity are also similar to previous years," the ECDC said.

The spread of WNV is supported by the warm and humid weather that has hit European Union countries in recent months. The number of cases is expected to increase until September," the ECDC said.

The West Nile virus spreads to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. This virus does not spread human beings.

Of those infected, 20 percent of them will experience symptoms such as flu, headache, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases can cause neurological diseases, such as encephalitis, meningitis, and poliomyelitis.

The disease is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, but the more cases reported by non-tropical countries such as Spain and Greece.

Until now, there has been no vaccine or drug to prevent and treat West Nile fever.