West Nile virus in Europe (Update 2)

From the beginning of summer 2021 to 9 September 2021, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported 87 cases of West Nile fever in EU and EEA countries.

These cases have been reported in Greece (43, including 3 deaths), Italy (27), Serbia (12, including 2 deaths), Spain (5, including 1 death), Romania (4, including 1 death), Austria (3), Germany (2) and Hungary (3).

West Nile fever is caused by West Nile virus (WNV) and occurs annually in southern and central Europe. The virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness and rarely, severe disease.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers 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 WNV transmission 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 TRAVAX West Nile Fever page.