Full list of outbreaks as Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro website revealed scores of new cases, including some deaths
One in 150 people infected with WNV develop a more serious, potentially fatal illness(Image: Getty)
A ‘potentially serious’ infection outbreak has been reported in 16 European countries, sparking warnings about taking preventative measures. New figures released by the Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro website show that in 6 countries there have been serious numbers in the last month – including a number of deaths.
West Nile virus (WNV) is a type of flavivirus (like dengue or Zika) that can cause a potentially serious infection in humans and is spread by mosquitoes. Most people infected with WNV do not any have symptoms or experience a very mild illness and fully recover. If symptoms are present, they are usually mild; a flu-like illness with fever, headache, muscle pain and a red, bumpy rash.
However, about one in 150 people infected with WNV develop a more serious, potentially fatal illness, with a high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness, trembling, convulsions and coma. Meningitis (inflammation of the protective lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (brain inflammation) or acute flaccid paralysis (weak/floppy limbs) can also occur.
Latest outbreaks:
- In 2026, up to 23 September, 4 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus has been reported in Germany. Cases have been reported from Berlin, Leipzig Kreisfreie Stadt and Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis.
- 44 cases of West Nile virus, including 5 deaths, have been reported in the Netherlands. Cases have been reported from South Holland, Utrecht, North Holland, North Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel provinces.
- In France 117 cases of West Nile virus have been recorded in Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, Occitanie, Ile-de-France, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire.
- North Macedonia has seen 69 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in North Macedonia, in 5 areas.
- Up to 23 September, 2 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Kosovo and 91 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Romania, across 22 areas.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s latest update shows that 86 areas affected by West Nile virus (WNV) have been identified in 16 countries across Europe. These are Italy, Greece, Romania, France, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Croatia, North Macedonia, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Kosovo, Albania and Cyprus.
Travel Health Pro said: “Some people, including older travellers, those with long term health problems and anyone with a weakened immune system (immunosuppression) are more at risk of getting seriously ill.
“There is no specific drug or treatment for WNV infection. Supportive care in a hospital is essential for people with severe WNV. While a bite from an infected mosquito is the commonest way to catch WNV, there are rare reports of non-mosquito spread, including during a blood transfusion or organ transplant.”
The only way to reduce the risk of getting infected is by avoiding mosquito bites as much as possible.
Key points to reduce insect and tick bites:
- Avoid areas of stagnant or standing water, where mosquitoes are likely to breed.
- Keep to footpaths and avoid long grass when walking to avoid tick bites.
- Check body for ticks after outdoor activity and remove them promptly
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, with long sleeves, long trousers, tucked into socks.
- Clothing can be sprayed or impregnated with insecticide or purchased pre-treated to reduce biting through clothing
- Use insect repellents on exposed skin
- In areas with vector-borne diseases, use air conditioning where available or sleep in screened accommodation, under a mosquito net impregnated with insecticide.
- Insecticide vaporisers can be used to inhibit mosquito bites and mosquito coils can be used outdoors (they are not recommended indoors).
- For those staying long-term in areas with vector-borne diseases it is possible to reduce mosquito breeding sites around the home by removing any pools of water in ditches, plant pots, gutters, drains and rubbish collected in the area.