West Nile virus in Europe (Update 2)

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports ongoing transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) in European countries.

From 1 March 2024 to 29 August 2024, 15 countries have reported a total of 715 cases, including 51 deaths.

The following countries are affected: Italy (287 cases, 10 deaths), Greece (138 cases, 17 deaths), Albania (74 cases, 13 deaths), Spain (54 cases, 4 deaths), Hungary (43 cases), Romania (42 cases, 3 deaths), Serbia (27 cases, 1 death), Austria (18 cases), France (15 cases, 1 death), Turkey (7 cases), Croatia (3 cases), Bulgaria (2 cases, 2 deaths), Germany (2 cases), Kosovo (2 cases) and Macedonia (1 case).

West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness, sometimes leading to severe or life-threatening disease.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers to affected areas should be advised to:

• practice mosquito bite avoidance measures at all times, especially at dusk and dawn during peak transmission times and when outbreaks are known to be occurring
• seek medical advice if they develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with fever following travel to a risk area

There is no vaccine against West Nile virus.

Note for blood donors: those who have recently travelled to an area with West Nile virus transmission may need to wait or be tested for the virus before their blood is accepted.

• see the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website for further details

For further information see TRAVAX West Nile Fever page.