West Nile virus claims two lives in Greece

Two elderly people in the Attica region have died from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus as a dozen people were hospitalized with the infection.

The two fatalities, both over 80 years old, lived in urban areas of Western Attica.

Until Wednesday, the number of infections reported to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) since the beginning of this year’s outbreak was 55.

Twelve patients were hospitalized on Wednesday as they had symptoms in the central nervous system. Four were put in intensive care.

West Nile Fever is a viral infection typically spread by mosquitoes. In about 75 percent of infections people have few or no symptoms.

However, about 20 percent of those affected develop a fever, headache, vomiting or a rash.

In less than one percent of cases, encephalitis or meningitis occurs, with associated neck stiffness, confusion or seizures.

Recovery may take weeks to months.