West Nile fever in Europe in 2018 - human cases; updated 28 September

Between 21 and 27 September 2018, EU Member States reported 132 human West Nile virus infections: Greece (37), Italy (42), Hungary (23), Romania (21), Croatia (8) and Bulgaria (1). The EU neighbouring countries reported 34 cases, all by Serbia.
In four areas, human cases were reported for the first time: Croatia (2), Bulgaria (1) and Serbia (1). All other human cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons.
This week, 9 deaths were reported by Romania (5), Greece (2), Bulgaria (1) and Italy (1).

In 2018, as of 27 September 2018, EU Member States have reported 1 266 human cases: Italy (495), Greece (261), Romania (237), Hungary (190), Croatia (44), France (16), Austria (15), Bulgaria (5) and Slovenia (3). EU neighbouring countries reported 404 human cases: Serbia (320), Israel (81) and Kosovo* (3). To date, 124 deaths due to West Nile virus infection have been reported by Italy (36), Romania (30), Serbia (29), Greece (26), Bulgaria (1), Hungary (1) and Kosovo* (1).

In accordance with European Commission Directive 2014/110/EU, prospective blood donors should defer for 28 days after leaving an area with evidence of West Nile virus circulation among humans unless the results of an individual nucleic acid test are negative.