West Nile virus in Europe (Update 2)

17 Sep 2024

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

WNV is rare in travellers. There is no vaccine against WNV.

When visiting areas affected by WNV, you should:

• practice mosquito bite avoidance measures at all times
• seek medical advice if you develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with a high temperature (fever) following travel to a risk area

Note for blood donors: if you have recently travelled to an area with WNV transmission, you may need to be tested for WNV before donating blood.

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

For further information see the fitfortravel West Nile Fever page.