Man, 90, becomes first West Nile virus death in Cyprus this year

Local healthNicosiaTop News Man, 90, becomes first West Nile virus death in Cyprus this year Ecdc Flags Rare Risk Of Mosquito Viruses Via Transfusions Relevant News Man, 90, becomes first West Nile virus death in Cyprus this year 4 September 2026 Police investigate rape claim by domestic helper in Nicosia 4 September 2026 Greek family hid elderly woman’s body in basement for years to collect her pension 4 September 2026 newsroom 4 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A 90-year-old patient diagnosed with West Nile virus has died, marking the first death from the virus in Cyprus this year. According to reports, the man had underlying health conditions and a particularly serious medical history. A total of eight cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Cyprus so far. How the cases have been distributed All eight patients have been treated at Nicosia General Hospital, with seven cases traced to various areas of the Nicosia district and one from Larnaca. Cyprus among high-risk areas The death comes after the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a health alert for EU member states following a surge in mosquito-borne diseases across the Mediterranean, naming Cyprus among the high-risk areas. Cyprus had already received a Level 2b risk classification from the ECDC for the transmission of dengue fever, Zika virus and chikungunya. Culex pipiens mosquitoes, the species primarily responsible for West Nile virus transmission, are most active during the summer months, when temperature and humidity conditions favour both the insect and the virus’s replication. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever, re-established populations in Cyprus in 2022 after decades of absence from Europe, alongside the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, now present across multiple regions of the island. Climate factors West Nile virus has caused recurring outbreaks in the Mediterranean since the 1950s, typically resurfacing during the hot season, with birds acting as the virus’s amplifying hosts through both local and long-range migratory movement. Cyprus is a major stop-over site for migratory birds and has a history of previous West Nile virus outbreaks. According to the ECDC, higher temperatures “prolong the period during which mosquitoes are active, increasing the duration and intensity of transmission” of vector-borne viruses. Research cited by the agency shows mosquito biting frequency triples as temperatures rise from 20 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. Climate models predict Aedes mosquitoes will advance northward at six kilometres a year by 2050, three-and-a-half times faster than historical rates. There is currently no vaccine for West Nile virus in humans. How health authorities respond to each case Medical and health services remain on constant alert. With each new case, officials move to eliminate infected mosquito breeding grounds at the patient’s home and in the surrounding neighbourhood. Blood safety is also under close watch: every year, during the months of increased mosquito activity, screening of blood donations is extended to cover West Nile virus. The relevant unit at the Ministry of Health continuously monitors the situation, and health services are notified whenever a new case is identified so they can apply the relevant protocols. Herodotos Herodotou, director of Health Services, told Phileleftheros that this year’s mosquito presence had lasted longer than usual, largely because of the weather, with increased rainfall creating standing water in which mosquitoes hatch. The West Nile virus, like other viruses, is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes: a mosquito becomes infected after biting a bird, then passes the virus on to a person. Authorities cannot track or control bird movements, Herodotou said, adding: “We cannot control where the birds come from and where they go,” which is why constant monitoring is required. First the home, then the neighbourhood When a new case is confirmed, Health Services follow a set programme, Herodotou said. Officials first inspect and spray the patient’s home to eliminate adult mosquitoes, then carry out a door-to-door check and spray at every house in the surrounding area. The process targets both adult mosquitoes and larvae. Herodotou said residents were not doing enough to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, saying: “Citizens do not appear to be taking measures to prevent mosquito hatching.” He said standing water, sometimes left for more than a week, is often found in buckets, flowerpots, jars and other decorative items in gardens and yards. Similar conditions are seen in fields, empty plots and even on the street, he said, adding: “Any container that can hold water can, after rainfall, become a mosquito breeding site.” The same home and neighbourhood spraying process is also triggered when someone tests positive for West Nile virus through blood donation screening rather than through symptoms, he said, noting that such cases have occurred. Appeal to residents and protective measures at home Health Services run a prevention and spraying programme throughout the year, Herodotou said, but preventing mosquitoes from breeding “starts at each of our own homes,” and requires residents to take some simple steps of their own. The main preventive measure is removing all standing water, since even small amounts can become breeding sites. Residents are urged to regularly empty saucers under plant pots, buckets, watering cans and other containers, remove or turn over objects that collect water, clean gutters, drains and manholes, seal barrels and water tanks tightly, change the water in animal and bird troughs frequently, remove old tyres and unused containers, and properly maintain swimming pools and ornamental ponds. Particular attention should be paid after rain or watering, with all outdoor areas checked for possible points where water may collect. Where removing the water is not possible, residents are advised to contact the relevant authorities for guidance on the safe and approved use of larvicides. 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