ECDC flags rare risk of mosquito viruses via transfusions

Local euEuropean UnionhealthTop News ECDC flags rare risk of mosquito viruses via transfusions Ecdc Flags Rare Risk Of Mosquito Viruses Via Transfusions Relevant News ECDC flags rare risk of mosquito viruses via transfusions 10 August 2026 Christodoulides to press for progress on confidence-building measures at Erhurman meeting 10 August 2026 Only Nicolas actually met Makarios! 10 August 2026 Newsroom 10 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A new scientific review by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has identified 77 cases of probable or confirmed arbovirus transmission across Europe through blood, blood-forming cells or breastfeeding. Arboviruses are normally transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks, but the ECDC report confirms that some can, in rare cases, pass from person to person through substances of human origin. Of the 77 recorded cases, 71 involved blood transfusions or blood products. Three were linked to haematopoietic stem cell transplants and three to probable transmission through breastfeeding. The review covered scientific publications from January 2000 to June 2025. It reflects cases documented in international literature rather than an estimate of the phenomenon’s overall frequency. West Nile virus tops the list West Nile virus accounted for the largest share of transmissions, with 47 cases in total. Of these, 45 occurred through platelets, red blood cells, plasma or granulocytes. Dengue fever was linked to 26 cases, of which 23 involved transfusions. Four cases of Zika were recorded, three of them linked to platelets. A common feature in several cases was that donors showed no symptoms when they gave blood, or were at a very early stage of infection. In some cases, virus concentration was below the detection threshold of the tests used. The most serious effects appeared mainly in immunosuppressed patients and children, recipients who were already more vulnerable to infection. Cases in Greece The European data includes four confirmed cases of West Nile virus transmission through blood in Greece, identified from data covering 2010 to 2021. Two cases involved thalassaemia patients who received infected red blood cells and developed serious illness. In another case, the blood donation had taken place a week before preventive measures to protect the blood supply came into effect. The Greek cases highlight the importance of rapidly informing blood donation services when a virus is found circulating in a specific area, according to the report. Cyprus “clean” but surveillance still needed The review recorded no case of arbovirus transmission through blood or blood-forming cells in Cyprus. This does not, however, prove there is zero future risk, nor does it mean surveillance can be scaled back, the ECDC noted. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can transmit dengue fever, Chikungunya and Zika, is established in Cyprus. The Aedes albopictus, known as the tiger mosquito, is also present. The presence of these mosquitoes does not mean the viruses are circulating in Cyprus. It does, however, create the conditions for local transmission if a virus is introduced, for example through an infected traveller, and the right conditions are present. ECDC places emphasis on risk-based surveillance, sensitive molecular testing, donor monitoring and immediate measures during outbreaks. The report does not call for universal testing of every blood donation for all arboviruses. No cases of transmission through substances of human origin were identified for Chikungunya, Usutu or Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Scientists note this may reflect a genuinely low risk, but could also reflect under-recognition or insufficient investigation of cases. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Christodoulides to press for progress on confidence-building measures at Erhurman meeting Only Nicolas actually met Makarios! Cyprus records 723 theft and burglary cases in first half of 2026 Police target scooter riders: 526 drivers cited in three days Paphos launches new marine pollution response service SHSO on 4-year-old meningitis case: ‘Police and internal investigations under way’ “My baby isn’t blind, he’s brain dead”: Mother of 4-year-old Marios speaks out Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.