Mosquito-borne disease

The Athens Medical Association (ISA) has expressed concern about the spread of West Nile virus and is urging the public to take all necessary precautions.
In a statement, it noted that there were 316 reported cases of the mosquito-borne infection last year, and that 50 of them were fatal. Most of the deaths, it said, were recorded in Attica.

Four people died last week as a result of complications after contracting the West Nile virus, bringing the death toll across Greece from the beginning of the year to 31, according to authorities.

According to a weekly report issued by the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO), reported cases reached 271 over on Satuday.

Another five people have died in the last week after being infected with West Nile virus according to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KEELPNO), which said the number of fatalities this year has risen to 27.

Health authorities in Greece came under fire on Friday for their delayed response to the spread of the West Nile virus, which has claimed 17 lives so far.

Health officials in Greece have confirmed 17 new cases of West Nile virus this week, bringing this summer's total to 60 reported cases.

Three people, all over the age of 70, have died so far this week after being infected with the mosquito-borne virus, according to data released Thursday by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO).

A Denmark resident who travelled outside Denmark has tested positive for mosquito-transmitted Zika virus, the national broadcaster DR reported on Jan. 27, citing health officials.

Health authorities from second largest Danish city, Aarhus, said the patient travelled to South and Central America where the Zika virus has taken hold, DR said. It did not elaborate. 

Three scientists from Japan, China and Ireland whose discoveries led to the development of potent new drugs against parasitic diseases such as malaria and elephantiasis won the Nobel Prize for Medicine on Oct.5.