The Chief Medical Officer has announced that Hungary is not in danger of succumbing to an epidemic of West Nile virus.
The announcement follows reports of 16 people becoming infected in Hungary between August 10th and 16th with the virus, which is so far the highest number in the EU.
Up until today, the total number of West Nile virus cases in the EU stands at 41. Greece reported 15, Romania 8 while Croatia 2 cases. From Hungary’s neighboring states, 24 cases were reported, all from Serbia.
According to MTI, the illness causes people to suffer with a weakened immune system and they can become extremely sick.
Attila Kovács said West Nile virus has been present in Hungary for 50 years and there are usually 10-40 cases reported each year. Last year there were 23 registered cases, he said, adding that this year’s increase was due to an early start to the season.
By August 23rd, a total of 58 cases were reported and 55 had to be treated in hospital. In the case of four deaths, West Nile virus may have played a part. They all involved men suffering from a chronic illness and three of them were above 80 years old, he said.