West Nile Virus Outbreak โคClaims 63โข Lives Across Europe, Raising UK Health concerns
London, UK – Octoberโ 26, 2025 – A surge in West Nile virus cases across europe has resulted in at least 63 deaths โsince June, sparking health alertsโ and raising concerns about potential spreadโ to teh United โขKingdom.Italy is currently the epicenter of the outbreak,โค with 714 confirmedโ infections, followed by Greeceโ (91), Serbia (60),โ and France (42).
The Europeanโ Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports a total of โ989 cases across 13 โEuropean countries โas of September 2025, already โexceeding โthe 10-year average of 687 cases forโค this โperiod.โ While infection numbers remain lower than peaks observed in 2018, 2022, and 2024, the situation is prompting increased vigilance.
West Nile virus isโค primarily โtransmitted through mosquito bites. While the majority of those infected experience no symptoms, approximatelyโค 1 in 5 individuals develop flu-like symptoms including fever, โheadache, and body aches. These symptoms typically appear 2-14 days โafter infection and resolve withinโ 3-6 days, according โขto the UK Healthโ Security Agency. However,in rare cases,the virus can โขinfect โthe โฃnervous system,leading to severe inflammation of the brain or spinal cord,and potentially,death.
A British man from Hampshire, who contracted โคthe virus during a trip to Goa, India, has shared his harrowing experience to raise awareness.He described a rapid decline in health,โฃ stating he went from being “a fit and โable person” to someone “disabled and has to think about what they โคcan and can’tโ do on a day-to-day basis.” he โขreported symptoms resembling a stroke, including weakness andโ tremorsโ on one side of his body, which โคpersist aโ year after infection. He told the BBC: โค”The symptoms presented โlike aโฃ stroke. itโ was really worrying.”
Common symptoms of West Nile virus infection include:
* Headaches
* Body aches โand joint pain
* vomiting
* โค Diarrhoea
* Rash
* fever
* โSwollen lymph nodes
The ECDC anticipates a decrease in cases as weather conditions become less favorable for mosquito activity in Europe. Currently,there is no vaccine available for West Nile virus. Though,researchers โat the university โof โคLiverpool,in collaboration with The Pandemic Institute,areโ actively โฃworking to develop โคa vaccine that would offer protection against West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Health officials are advising travelers to take โprecautions against โmosquito bites, notably in affected regions. This includes using โinsect repellent, wearing long sleeves andโข pants, and eliminating standing water โwhere mosquitoes can breed.
