By 5 August 2026, seven European countries had reported 245 locally acquired cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in humans. The first case occurred on 12 May 2026 and the most recent on 1 August 2026. Italy reported 139 cases, Greece 65 (four with unknown place of infection), Spain 17, North Macedonia 13, Romania 6, France 4 and Germany 1.
A total of 12 deaths have been recorded: six in Greece, five in Italy and one in Romania. The figure of 245 cases is below the average for the same period in the previous decade, which was 403 cases. However, reporting delays may underestimate the current burden, as 2026 data remain provisional. Most cases have been reported in Italy and Greece, although Italy has recorded fewer cases this year than during the same period in 2025, when it reported 168 cases. Greece, by contrast, has reported more cases in 2026 than in 2025, when it recorded 26 cases in the same period.
By 5 August 2026, locally acquired cases had been reported in 58 NUTS 3 regions across seven countries. This figure is higher than in the same period of 2025, when cases were reported in 40 NUTS 3 regions in six countries. Most cases were reported in men over 65 years of age, and 72 per cent were hospitalised, whilst 58 per cent presented neurological symptoms. The mortality rate was approximately 5 per cent.
From a veterinary perspective, 17 WNV outbreaks in equines and 74 outbreaks in birds have been reported in Europe in 2026. Outbreaks in equines were reported by France (five outbreaks), Greece (five), Italy (five), the Netherlands (one) and Spain (one). Outbreaks in birds were reported by Italy (64 outbreaks), France (five), Spain (three), Austria (one) and Belgium (one). Among the affected birds were mainly Eurasian magpies (23) and hooded crows (20).