Greece has recorded a sharp increase in West Nile virus infections, with 45 new locally acquired cases reported over the past week, bringing the total number of cases to 110 since the start of the 2026 transmission season through Aug. 12.
Of the 110 patients, 81 developed serious central nervous system complications. Nine deaths have also been recorded, all involving patients over the age of 65.
The figures, released by the National Public Health Organization (EODY), highlight the continued circulation of the virus and the need for increased vigilance, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Cases reported across 39 municipalities
West Nile virus infections have been recorded and investigated in 39 municipalities across 14 regional units in the regions of Attica, Thessaly, Central Macedonia and the Peloponnese.
The affected regional units are Eastern Attica, Northern Athens, Western Attica, Central Athens, Southern Athens, Piraeus, Karditsa, Larissa, Trikala, Imathia, Thessaloniki, Pella, Serres and Laconia.
EODY said further cases are expected to be diagnosed in the coming period, both in areas where infections have already been detected and in new areas.
Attica, in particular, is experiencing especially intense virus circulation this year, with increased numbers of cases in specific areas and regional units.
The municipalities where cases have been recorded are:
- Acharnes — 3
- Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni — 7
- Kropia — 3
- Lavreotiki — 2
- Marathon — 2
- Markopoulo Mesogaias — 11
- Paiania — 1
- Pallini — 5
- Rafina-Pikermi — 2
- Saronikos — 1
- Spata-Artemida — 13
- Agia Paraskevi — 7
- Marousi — 1
- Vrilissia — 1
- Lykovrysi-Pefki — 1
- Nea Ionia — 1
- Papagos-Cholargos — 1
- Penteli — 1
- Chalandri — 3
- Fyli — 1
- Athens — 3
- Ilioupoli — 1
- Alimos — 1
- Glyfada — 3
- Elliniko-Argyroupoli — 1
- Piraeus — 1
- Palamas — 1
- Sofades — 1
- Kileler — 2
- Larissa — 7
- Tempi — 2
- Trikala — 1
- Veria — 2
- Ampelokipoi-Menemeni — 1
- Chalkidona — 1
- Pella — 6
- Skydra — 2
- Nea Zichni — 1
- Evrota — 1
- Under investigation — 5
Additional municipalities classified as high risk
In addition to the municipalities where human cases have been recorded during the 2026 transmission season, EODY has classified several other municipalities as high risk.
These include Kifisia, Iraklio, Filothei-Psychiko and Metamorfosi in Northern Athens; Kallithea and Nea Smyrni in Southern Athens; Nea Filadelfeia-Nea Chalkidona and Dafni-Ymittos in Central Athens; Amphipolis in Serres; the Heroic City of Naousa in Imathia; and Delta in the Thessaloniki metropolitan area.
No human cases have been recorded in these high-risk municipalities during the current transmission season so far. However, EODY says they have a combination of factors associated with potential transmission and the emergence of cases, including proximity to affected municipalities, geographical characteristics, and current and historical epidemiological data on the infection.
EODY urges mosquito protection
EODY stressed that the epidemiology of West Nile virus is determined by multiple factors. As a result, the areas where the virus will circulate and the locations where cases may emerge during each transmission season cannot be reliably predicted.
