Cases of West Nile virus infection attributed to the Municipality of Spata–Artemida have risen to 20, according to the weekly epidemiological report published by EODY, the National Public Health Organisation, on 17 September 2026. Eighteen of them involved the central nervous system — encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis — while 2 had mild symptoms or none at all.
The figure that stands out, though, is not the total. It is the rate: 51.6 cases with central nervous system involvement per 100,000 residents. In EODY's table of the 80 municipalities in the country where cases have been recorded this year, no other area shows a higher ratio. Second comes the neighbouring Municipality of Markopoulo Mesogaias, at 50.6.
In absolute numbers, only the Municipality of Larissa, with 36 cases, is above Spata and Artemida. Across the rest of Eastern Attica the picture is clearly milder: Markopoulo 14, Vari–Voula–Vouliagmeni 12, Pallini 8, Marathon 7, Acharnes 6, Kropia 5, Paiania 5, Saronikos 5, Lavreotiki 4, Oropos 3, Rafina–Pikermi 2, Dionysos 1.
Two clarifications change how the numbers should be read. First, EODY records the estimated municipality of exposure — that is, the likely place where the mosquito bite happened, not the patient's home address. Second, the figures are cumulative from the start of the season. Last week the municipality stood at 19 cases; the one new case does not necessarily mean that the infection, or the onset of symptoms, happened within the last seven days.
Nationwide, 370 locally acquired cases have been reported, 238 of them with central nervous system involvement, 46 of those within the last week. Sixty-four patients are in hospital, 29 of them in intensive care, while 244 have been discharged. Deaths have reached 33, all in patients over 65, with a median age of 85.
Locally, the last recorded intervention took place on Wednesday 16 September: the 18th round of ground-based larviciding at Alyki, in the Artemida municipal district, following document no. 1159966/11-09-2026 from the Regional Unit of Eastern Attica. Larviciding kills the larvae in the water before the mosquitoes emerge — it is not adult-mosquito spraying and it does not "clear" a neighbourhood for weeks. Mosquito management programmes fall to local government, under an annual circular from the Ministry of Health.
What is left to the resident is the standing water on their own plot, and that is where the Region's programme does not reach. Plant pot saucers, uncovered barrels and tanks, old tyres, wheelbarrows, tarpaulins, animal drinking bowls, pools that are out of use and blocked gutters are the places that breed them. A few days of still water are enough to complete the cycle. Alongside that: screens on the windows, approved insect repellents, long clothing, and particular care from dusk to dawn, which are the mosquito's active hours.
When to see a doctor. Between the bite and the first symptoms there is a gap of 2 to 14 days. Roughly 8 in 10 people who are infected show nothing at all, roughly 2 in 10 develop a flu-like illness with fever, headache and muscle pain, and fewer than 1% develop severe disease. A high fever together with a severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or a change in consciousness, and muscle weakness, need a hospital immediately. Those at greater risk are people over 50, the immunosuppressed, and anyone with chronic underlying conditions. There is no human vaccine and no specific antiviral treatment — care is supportive.
Useful numbers: EODY 1135, Department of Vector-Borne Diseases 210 5212385 and 210 5212355, Municipality of Spata–Artemida 213 2007300 (info@spata-artemis.gr), Artemida Municipal Clinic, Avras 5 and Agias Marinas, 22940 45566.
One last detail for anyone following the figures: from next week EODY is changing its publication day, and the weekly report will come out every Thursday instead of Wednesday.
Source: EODY, Weekly report on epidemiological surveillance of West Nile virus infection in humans, 17/09/2026 · Municipality of Spata–Artemida, notice "MOSQUITO CONTROL 16-09-2026", 15/09/2026.
