Crete Locals

Crete records three West Nile virus cases in Rethymno and Heraklion, EODY says

· By CreteLocals Editorial Team
Crete records three West Nile virus cases in Rethymno and Heraklion, EODY says

Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) has confirmed three cases of West Nile virus infection with central nervous system symptoms in Crete, located in the regional units of Rethymno and Heraklion, according to the agency’s weekly epidemiological report published on September 2, 2026.

Nationally, EODY has recorded 290 domestically acquired West Nile virus cases since the start of the 2026 transmission season, of which 199 involved central nervous system manifestations such as encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis, and 91 had mild or no such symptoms. Fifty-eight new domestic cases were reported in the past week alone, the agency said.

National toll and hospitalizations

EODY has recorded 24 deaths among patients infected with the virus so far this season, all in people over 65, with a median age of 83 and a range of 66 to 92 years. As of September 2, 63 patients remained hospitalized, including 32 in intensive care units and 31 in general wards, while 21 patients were not hospitalized and 182 have been discharged. The first case of the 2026 season had symptom onset on June 25, in epidemiological week 26, EODY said. The median age of patients with central nervous system involvement is 74, ranging from 13 to 96 years.

Crete’s confirmed cases

According to EODY’s municipal breakdown, one case with central nervous system symptoms was recorded in the municipality of Rethymno, corresponding to an incidence rate of 1.7 per 100,000 residents. Within the Heraklion regional unit, one case was reported in the municipality of Archanes-Asterousia, with an incidence rate of 6.2 per 100,000, and one case in the municipality of Heraklion, at a rate of 2.0 per 100,000. EODY noted that these figures come after a first locally acquired case of the season was reported in Crete earlier in the summer.

Separately, a Ministry of Health working group that assesses areas affected by vector-borne diseases has designated the municipality of Chersonisou, also in the Heraklion regional unit, as “high risk” based on epidemiological and geographic factors, even though no human case has yet been recorded there this season. EODY said such designations reflect proximity to affected municipalities and historical infection patterns rather than confirmed local transmission.

National response measures

EODY said it has conducted enhanced epidemiological surveillance of West Nile virus infections in Greece since 2010, investigating every reported case within 24 hours through interviews with treating physicians and patients to determine the likely site of exposure and risk factors. The agency also monitors the clinical course of hospitalized patients daily and maintains ongoing communication with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, regional public health directorates and municipal authorities in affected areas.

In May 2026, EODY said it sent an informational letter to all health units and medical associations across the country regarding the need for heightened surveillance of the infection, with local health units in areas of recent case detection notified separately on an emergency basis. The agency’s response framework follows the national “Action Plan for West Nile Virus Infection,” published by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with EODY in March 2024.

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