ECDC - West Nile Virus in Europe and neighbouring countries 2020 - Map - Cases - Updated November 27, 2020

[Gert van der Hoek]

Epidemiological summary

Between 12 and 17 June 2020, in the EU, Romania reported one human case from an area that has been affected in previous seasons. No cases were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

This week, no deaths have been reported. Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 17 June 2020, EU Member States have reported one human case in Romania. No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.

So far, no deaths have been reported. During the current transmission season, no outbreaks among equids or birds have been reported so far.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Between 18 and 25 June 2020, no cases were reported from EU Member States or EU neighbouring countries.

This week, no deaths have been reported. Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 25 June 2020, EU Member States have reported one human case in Romania.

No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries. So far, no deaths have been reported.

[Gert van der Hoek]

10 Jul 2020

Period: 03 Jul 2020 - 09 Jul 2020

Between 3 and 9 July 2020, no cases were reported from EU Member States or EU neighbouring countries.
This week, no deaths have been reported.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 9 July 2020, EU Member States have reported one human case in Romania. No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.

So far, no deaths have been reported.

During the current transmission season, no outbreaks among equids or birds have been reported so far.

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus in Europe in 2020 - human cases compared to previous seasons, updated 24 July 2020

Between 17 and 23 July 2020, EU Member States reported six human cases, all in Greece. All human cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No human cases were reported from EU neighbouring countries.
This week, no deaths have been reported.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 23 July 2020, EU Member States have reported seven human cases in Greece (6) and Romania (1). No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.
So far, no deaths have been reported.

During the current transmission season, no outbreaks among equids or birds have been reported so far.

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus in Europe in 2020 - infections among humans and outbreaks among equids and/or birds, updated 31 July 2020


Between 24 and 30 July 2020, EU Member States reported five human cases in Greece (4) and Romania (1). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No human cases were reported from EU neighbouring countries. This week, no deaths have been reported.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 30 July 2020, EU Member States have reported 12 human cases in Greece (10) and Romania (2). No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.
So far, no deaths have been reported.

During the current transmission season, no outbreaks among equids or birds have been reported so far.

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus in Europe in 2020 - infections among humans and outbreaks among equids and/or birds, updated 6 August 2020

Period: 30 Jul 2020 - 06 Aug 2020

Between 24 and 30 July 2020, EU Member States reported five human cases in Greece (4) and Romania (1). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No human cases were reported from EU neighbouring countries. This week, no deaths have been reported.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 30 July 2020, EU Member States have reported 12 human cases in Greece (10) and Romania (2). No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries. So far, no deaths have been reported.

During the current transmission season, no outbreaks among equids or birds have been reported so far.

[Gert van der Hoek]

14 Aug 2020

Period: 06 Aug 2020 - 13 Aug 2020


Between 7 and 13 August 2020, Greece reported 18 additional human cases of WNV infection and Italy reported its first two cases. Greece also reported five additional deaths.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 13 August 2020, EU Member States have reported 32 human cases of WNV infection through The European Surveillance System (TESSy): Greece (28 cases, including six deaths), Italy (two cases) and Romania (two cases). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.

In addition, the public health authorities of Andalucia, Spain, announced the occurrence of an outbreak of WNV infections with 12 laboratory confirmed cases in the province of Seville. Additional patients with meningoencephalitis are currently being tested. Those cases were not yet reported through TESSy and are therefore not represented on the maps.

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus in Europe in 2020 - infections among humans and outbreaks among equids and/or birds, updated 20 August 2020



Between 14 and 20 August 2020, EU Member States reported 34 human cases of WNV infection: Italy (17), Greece (11) and Spain (six). One case was reported from the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy, which had not been affected in previous transmission seasons. All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, no deaths were reported. No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Spain is currently experiencing an outbreak of WNV infection in the province of Seville. Six confirmed human cases reported through TESSy (see above) and an additional 13 probable cases are being further investigated. As these probable cases have not yet been reported through TESSy they are not included in the list of the cases in the Surveillance Atlas. Additional patients with meningo-encephalitis are currently being tested.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 20 August 2020, EU Member States have reported 66 human cases of WNV infection and six deaths through The European Surveillance System (TESSy): Greece (39, including six deaths), Italy (19), Spain (six) and Romania (two). One case was reported from the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy, which had not been affected in previous transmission seasons. All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, 19 outbreaks among equids have been reported. These outbreaks have been reported by Spain (16 including nine in the province of Seville), Italy (two) and Portugal (one) through the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS) of the European Commission. No outbreaks among birds have been reported through ADNS.

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus in Europe in 2020 - human cases, updated 28 August 2020

Between 21 and 27 August 2020, EU Member States reported 56 human cases of WNV infection: Spain (38), Greece (15) and Italy (three). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, four deaths were reported by Greece (two) and Spain (two). No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 27 August 2020, EU Member States have reported 122 human cases of WNV infection and ten deaths through The European Surveillance System (TESSy): Greece (54, including eight deaths), Spain (44, including two deaths), Italy (22), and Romania (two). Spain is currently experiencing an outbreak of WNV infection in the province of Seville. All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.

[Gert van der Hoek]

West Nile virus in Europe in 2020 - infections among humans and outbreaks among equids and/or birds, updated 3 September 2020


Between 28 August and 3 September 2020, EU Member States reported 37 human cases of WNV infection: Greece (23), Italy (7), Spain (5) and Romania (2). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, two deaths were reported by Greece (1) and Spain (1). No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season and as of 3 September 2020, EU Member States have reported 159 human cases of WNV infection and 12 deaths through TESSy: Greece (77, including nine deaths), Spain (49, including three deaths), Italy (29), and Romania (4). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, 56 outbreaks among equids have been reported. These outbreaks have been reported by Spain (49, including 29 in the province of Seville), Italy (5), France (1) and Portugal (1) through the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS) of the European Commission. No outbreaks among birds have been reported through ADNS.

[Gert van der Hoek]

On 3 September 2020, German public health authorities reported the first human WNV infections in Germany during this transmission season. These were diagnosed in mid-August 2020 and were all detected in the context of blood or plasma donation.

The National Reference Center for Tropical Diseases at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg was so far able to confirm four of the presumptive infections as WNV infections by sequencing, while others were USUV infections or neither. Additional presumptive cases are being investigated.

Virus circulation in birds has been documented since July 2020 in Germany, in a similar area as 2019. As the human WNV infections and the outbreaks among birds have not yet been reported through TESSy and ADNS, respectively, they are currently not represented on the maps and in the Surveillance Atlas.


Note: Most people (8 out of 10) infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. (CDC)

[Gert van der Hoek]

Situation update


Between 4 and 10 September 2020, EU Member States reported 14 human cases of WNV infection, all by Greece. All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, three deaths were reported by Greece. No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

On 3 September 2020, German public health authorities reported the first human autochthonous WNV infections in Germany during this transmission season. On 10 September, further human WNV infections were reported. In total nine were reported from Leipzig (7), Meissen (1) and Berlin (1). Further suspected cases are being investigated. Virus circulation in birds has been documented since July 2020 in Germany, in a similar area as 2019. As none of the human WNV infections and outbreaks among birds in 2020 have been reported through TESSy and ADNS, respectively, so far, they are currently not represented on the maps and in the Surveillance Atlas.

Since the start of the 2020 transmission season and as of 10 September 2020, EU Member States have reported 173 human cases of WNV infection and 15 deaths through TESSy: Greece (91, including 12 deaths), Spain (49, including 3 deaths), Italy (29) and Romania (4). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU-neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, 60 outbreaks among equids have been reported. These outbreaks have been reported by Spain (51, including 29 in the province of Seville), Italy (6), France (1), Portugal (1) and Germany (1) through ADNS. No outbreaks among birds have been reported through ADNS.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Situation update


Between 11 and 17 September 2020, EU Member States reported 36 human cases of WNV infection: Greece (18), Spain (12), Italy (3) and Hungary (3). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, six deaths were reported, by Greece (4) and Spain (2). No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

On 16 September 2020, Dutch public health authorities reported the first animal, a warbler that tested positive for WNV in the Netherlands, in the Utrecht region. Warblers are migratory birds, but because this warbler was tested positive in late summer, it is very likely that it contracted WNV in the Netherlands. The same bird was also caught in the spring and had tested negative. In recent years, antibodies have been found in several birds in the Netherlands. As these were not migratory birds, they probably contracted the infection in the vicinity of the Netherlands.

Since the start of the 2020 transmission season and as of 17 September 2020, EU Member States have reported 209 human cases of WNV infection and 21 deaths through TESSy: Greece (109, including 16 deaths), Spain (61, including 5 deaths), Italy (32), Romania (4) and Hungary (3). All cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU-neighbouring countries.

On 3 September 2020, German public health authorities reported the first human autochthonous WNV infections in Germany during this transmission season. On 10 September, further human WNV infections were reported. A total of nine were reported, from Leipzig (7), Meissen (1) and Berlin (1). Further suspected cases are being investigated. Virus circulation in birds has been documented since July 2020 in Germany, in a similar area as in 2019. The human WNV infections and outbreaks among birds in 2020 have not been reported through TESSy and the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS) yet. As a result, they are not currently represented on the maps and in the Surveillance Atlas.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, 69 outbreaks among equids have been reported. These outbreaks have been reported by Spain (51), Italy (8), Germany (8), France (1) and Portugal (1) through ADNS. No outbreaks among birds have been reported through ADNS.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Situation update


Between 18 and 24 September 2020, EU Member States reported 34 human cases of WNV infection: Greece (14), Italy (9), Spain (6) and Germany (5). Three regions in Germany reported locally-acquired human cases of WNV infection for the first time (regions of Barnim, Ostprignitz-Ruppin and Saalekreis). All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, seven deaths were reported by Greece (3), Italy (3) and Spain (1). No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

On 24 September 2020, Spanish public health authorities reported the first locally-acquired human WNV infection in the province of Badajoz. This case has not yet been reported through TESSy and is therefore not currently represented on the maps and in the Surveillance Atlas.

Since the start of the 2020 transmission season and as of 24 September 2020, EU Member States have reported 243 human cases of WNV infection and 28 deaths through TESSy: Greece (123, including 19 deaths), Spain (67, including 6 deaths), Italy (41, including three deaths), Germany (5), Romania (4) and Hungary (3). Three regions in Germany reported autochthonous human cases of WNV infection for the first time (regions of Barnim, Ostprignitz-Ruppin and Saalekreis). All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU-neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, 127 outbreaks among equids have been reported. These outbreaks have been reported by Spain (99), Germany (12), Italy (11), France (3), Hungary (1) and Portugal (1) through ADNS. No outbreaks among birds have been reported through ADNS.

[Gert van der Hoek]

Situation update


Between 25 September and 1 October 2020, EU Member States reported 14 human cases of WNV infection: Greece (7), Spain (5) and Italy (2). The province of Badajoz, Spain, reported locally-acquired human cases of WNV infection for the first time through TESSy. All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, two deaths were reported, by Greece (1) and Spain (1). No human cases of WNV infection or deaths were reported from EU neighbouring countries.

Since the start of the 2020 transmission season and as of 1 October 2020, EU Member States have reported 257 human cases of WNV infection and 30 deaths through TESSy: Greece (130, including 20 deaths), Spain (72, including 7 deaths), Italy (43, including 3 deaths), Germany (5), Romania (4) and Hungary (3). The province of Badajoz, Spain, and three regions in Germany reported locally-acquired human cases of WNV infection for the first time (regions of Barnim, Ostprignitz-Ruppin and Saalekreis). All other cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. No cases have been reported from EU-neighbouring countries.

Since the beginning of the 2020 transmission season, 134 outbreaks among equids have been reported. These outbreaks have been reported by Spain (102), Germany (16), Italy (11), France (3), Hungary (1) and Portugal (1) through ADNS. No outbreaks among birds have been reported through ADNS.