The first 2014 West Nile virus infection incident in Greece involves a 85-year-old man, resident of Eastern Attiki. As protothema.gr has been informed, patient’s condition is critical and he has been admitted to emergency room of 401 Military Hospital of Athens.

Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the incident based on laboratory tests and has already informed local authorities of the possibility for more West Nile virus infections during the summer.

According to KEELPNO, the West Nile virus steadily re-appears in the summer months of the last five years, with human infections recorded in various areas of Greece. 262 incidents were recorded in 2010, 100 incidents in 2011, 161 incidents in 2012 and 86 incidents in 2013. A total of 73 people died due to complications of the infection.

The virus is transmitted through an ordinary mosquito bite and in the majority of infections patients either remain fully asymptomatic or express mild symptoms. Elderly people, as well as people with chronic diseases, face the gravest danger of more serious symptoms.