Surveillance of West Nile virus infections in humans and animals in Europe, monthly report - data submitted up to 3 September 2026.

As part of their One Health activities, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) jointly conduct surveillance of West Nile virus (WNV) infections in humans, equids and birds and assess the epidemiological situation in Europe. This surveillance informs public health and veterinary authorities and supports timely prevention and control measures. As of 3 September 2026, intense WNV circulation has been observed in humans and animals in several European countries, although there is currently no indication of increased disease severity among human cases in EU/EEA countries. Italy remains the most affected country, reporting the highest numbers of human cases and avian outbreaks, while Greece has recorded an unusually high number of human cases for this time of year. The Netherlands has reported its first human infections since 2020, alongside outbreaks in birds and equids across a wide geographic area. In Belgium, where no human WNV infections have ever been reported, circulation in birds and equids across eight regions indicates a risk of human infection. North Macedonia is experiencing an unprecedented outbreak in the capital region, involving human cases and detections in birds. Further human cases and animal outbreaks may occur across Europe in the coming weeks. ECDC and EFSA continue to monitor the situation closely.