West Nile Fever in European Union

22 Sep 2014

Since the start of the West Nile virus trasmission season in 2014, a total of 42 cases of West Nile fever have been reported in the EU, as of 18 September. Countries reporting cases include:

• Greece 15 cases, affected prefectures include: Attiki (2), Ileia (6), Rodopi (4) and Xanthi (3).
• Italy 9 cases, affected provinces include: Bologna (1), Parma (1), Cremona (2), Modena (2), Reggio nell'Emilia(1), Verona (1) and Pavia (1).
• Romania 15 cases, affected districts include: Mures (2), Olt (3), Constanta (1), Ialomita (1), Bucuresti (1), Dambovita (1), Dolj (2), Galati (1), Giurgiu (1) and Teleorman (2).
• Hungary 2 cases reported in Csongrad county.
• Austria one locally acquired case in Vienna.

(Via ECDC Communicable Disease Threat Report, Week 38 - accessed 22/09/14

Advice for Travellers

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV. Infection is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, therefore avoidance of mosquito bites is essential, by covering up and the use of bite avoidance measures.