West Nile fever in Europe in 2018 - human cases; updated 5 October

Between 28 September and 4 October 2018, EU Member States reported 50 human West Nile virus infections in Greece (22), Romania (19), Hungary (7), Bulgaria (1) and the Czech Republic (1). EU neighbouring countries reported 30 cases, all in Serbia.
In three areas, human cases were reported for the first time: Bulgaria (1), the Czech Republic (1) and Serbia (1). All other human cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons.
This week, 18 deaths were reported by Greece (8), Romania (6), Serbia (3) and the Czech Republic (1).

In 2018 and as of 4 October 2018, EU Member States have reported 1 317 human cases in Italy (495), Greece (283), Romania (256), Hungary (197), Croatia (45), France (16), Austria (15), Bulgaria (6), Slovenia (3) and the Czech Republic (1). EU neighbouring countries reported 434 human cases in Serbia (350), Israel (81) and Kosovo* (3). To date, 142 deaths due to West Nile virus infection have been reported by Italy (36), Romania (36), Greece (34), Serbia (32), Bulgaria (1), the Czech Republic (1), Hungary (1) and Kosovo* (1).

During the current transmission season, 222 outbreaks among equids have been reported by Italy (120), Hungary (79), Greece (13), France (5), Romania (2), Austria (1), Germany (1) and Slovenia (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.