Location of Greece and location of Peloponnesian peninsula - wikipedia
5 deaths reported due to West Nile virus in Greece
Another 42 people fell ill due to the mosquito-borne illness, with the majority of cases reported on the Peloponnesian peninsula.
Published: 28.09.2017
Five people have died in Greece this year as a result of West Nile virus, the countrys Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
Post-mortem lab tests had confirmed the causes of death, with all five victims over the age of 70.
Another 42 people fell ill due to the mosquito-borne illness, with the majority of cases reported on the Peloponnesian peninsula.
The number of infected patients could be even higher, as most reported no or only innocuous symptoms, such as headaches and sore limbs, doctors said in an interview on national radio.
Residents were advised to use plug-in repellents or ointments against insects.
According to the Centre for Travel Medicine in Dusseldorf, Germany, West Nile virus was first detected in Greece in 2010.
Infections have occurred regularly since, although there were no reported cases in 2015 or 2016.