We have identified you may not be viewing TRAVAX optimally because the browser you are using is unsupported - click here.

placeholder="Enter search term...">
Suitcase

West Nile Virus in Europe (Update 2)

20 September 2017

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Link continues to report West Nile virus in Europe.

In the week to 14 September 2017, Serbia reported 9 cases and Hungary reported 1 case, all in previously affected areas. Greece reported the death of a previously reported case.

From the beginning of the 2017 transmission season and to 14 September 2017, West Nile virus has been reported by Greece (40 cases); Italy (27 cases); Romania (22 cases); Hungary (10 cases); Austria (2 cases) and Serbia (28 cases). In the surrounding region, Israel has reported 9 cases.

Advice for Travellers

WNV is present worldwide but the risk to travellers is low.

All travellers should be advised to practice Mosquito Bite Avoidance, especially from dusk till dawn during peak transmission times and when epidemics are known to be occurring.

No vaccine is available against WNV.

NOTE: UK Blood Transfusion Services accept donation from travellers returning from areas where there is a risk of West Nile Fever, provided the blood is tested negative for WNV.

  • It is important donors inform the transfusion services about all recent travel outside the UK so the blood can be tested for WNV, as this is not a routine screening test.

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service have produced a leaflet which details information about blood donation after travel:

For further advice see West Nile Fever.