West Nile virus (WNV) appeared in Greece for the fist time during the summer 2010.
Until November 2010, 262 WNV cases were reported; 197 of them were neuroinvasive cases - with symptoms from the central nervous system (meningitis/encephalitis/acute flaccid paralysis), while 65 were cases with mild flu-like symptoms (mainly fever). There were 35 deaths exclusively in elder people with a history of underlying diseases.
In 2011, 100 WNV cases were recorded; 75 of them were neuroinvasive cases, while the rest 25 had mild clinical manifestations. There were 9 deaths in people over 65 years old.
In 2012, 161 WNV cases were reported; 109 of them had neuroinvasive form of the disease, while 52 had mainly fever and mild clinical picture. There were 18 deaths in elders with underlying disease.
Epidemiological situation - 2013:
Until 23/10/2013, 86 cases and six deaths have been reported in total; 51 of them were neuroinvasive cases.
Epidemiological situation - 2014:
Until 25/09/14, 15 cases and five deaths have been reported in total; 14 of 15 cases were neuroinvasive cases.