Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 34 deaths - Total number of patients rises to 261

[Ronan Kelly]

West Nile virus suspected in 3 elderly patients' deaths in northern Greece
By The Associated Press (CP) ? 3 hours ago

THESSALONIKI, Greece ? Three elderly people have died of encephalitis since Friday and several others hospitalized, with doctors suspecting that they may have been infected by the West Nile Virus.

A 79-year-old patient, who also suffered from heart and diabetes problems, died Sunday of encephalitis. Two elderly women died Friday.

full story at;

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iwiW4ax7bzDyW6pzsZLNwzSgHqow

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Nile virus suspected in 3 elderly patients' deaths in northern Greece

In Greece, the outbreak of a rare virus, is the victim
KYIV, August 9. (UKRINFORM). The outbreak of the rare West Nile virus was registered in Greece. Already three people have died, according to UKRINFORM, with reference to the Athens News Agency.

Starting Friday, the victims of the virus were three elderly people. The last fatal case was registered today in the Sunday, Aug. 8, - died on 79-year-old man, who in the past had problems with his health.

A total of 22 suspected cases of the virus in 11 cases the patients developed encephalitis - inflammation in the brain. Now in hospital in Salonika and its environs are seven people whose condition is not serious, others have already written down.

On Monday the expected results of laboratory tests. They must confirm the belief of doctors that the diagnosis of cases - West Nile virus, which is carried by mosquitoes and can cause meningitis and encephalitis.

The mortality in reported cases is about 4%, but it is believed that the vast majority of people with the virus never get sick or suffer a disease so easily, that do not need medical attention.

http://bsanna-news.ukrinform.ua/newsitem.php?id=13785&lang=en

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Nile virus suspected in 3 elderly patients' deaths in northern Greece

Greece confirms West Nile virus responsible for deaths of 2 elderly patients
By The Associated Press (CP) ? 8 minutes ago

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gXXfUEug4lnkfpTP5dj9G40iwcbw

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: West Nile virus suspected in 3 elderly patients' deaths in northern Greece

machinetranslated



Three deaths from encephalitis

Date: 09/08/2010

From the Department of Microbiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will be answered is whether the West Nile virus has been transferred to Greece and is responsible for outbreaks of encephalitis and meningitis, which occurs from July geographically located mainly in regions of central Macedonia.

Yesterday we announced the third death from encephalitis patient, a 79chronou with compromised health, hospitalized Specific Diseases (Infectious) of Thessaloniki.

Without notification, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) decouples the first two deaths of elderly women (hospitalized in specific diseases) from the virus West Nile.

At the hospital stay and now eight patients. According to yesterday's announcement by the medical condition of a designated "moderately well-higher" and the other seven "good."

As the KEELPNO, "from a total of eleven patients over the last period in Greece, mainly from the Pella and Kilkis, for both laboratory-confirmed that it probably came encephalitis virus Nile, while nine characterized possible and await the outcome of diagnostic techniques in molecular biology.

Epidemics of West Nile fever occurred recently in Italy and Portugal, while in 1996 were recorded in several European countries (France, Spain, Romania, Hungary). Also in 1999 a large number of cases has occurred in the United States of America.

http://www.makthes.gr/news/reportage/59412/

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: West Nile virus confirmed in 3 elderly patients' deaths in northern Greece

Outbreak of West Nile virus with three casualties confirmed in Greece

09:02, August 10, 2010


Greek health authorities confirmed on Monday an outbreak of the West Nile virus in northern Greece which has caused the deaths of three elderly people.

Two women and one man have passed away since last Friday due to encephalitis, a severe inflammation of the brain. The results of laboratory tests that were announced on Monday show that the illness was caused by the rare virus which is transmitted by mosquitos.

There are 16 confirmed cases of people polluted by the virus in northern Greece over the past two weeks, said Anna Pappa, professor of Microbiology at the Medicine School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and head of the Virus Research Centre in Greece.

A dozen of them are hospitalized in hospitals in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, one in serious condition, while doctors examine whether other suspected cases are indeed connected with the virus.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/7099023.html

More : http://translate.google.com/translat...px&sl=el&tl=en

...

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: West Nile virus confirmed in 3 elderly patients' deaths in northern Greece

Greece Neighbours in West Nile Virus Alert
Skopje | 12 August 2010 | Sinisa Jakov Marusic

People across Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria have been warned to be alert to a possible spread of the West Nile Virus, despite the fact there have been no reported cases.


Zarko Karadzovski, from the Macedonian Public Health Institute, warned at a press conference that people needed to be cautious as the entire Mediterranean basin was favourable for the development of the mosquito carrying the virus, WNV.

He said on Wednesday: ?The virus is transmitted by mosquito bites ... In 96-97 per cent of cases, the disease is curable, either spontaneously or by using flu therapy.

"However, heavier forms can be fatal."

The symptoms of the disease are weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and rashes, whereas the heavier type can hit the neurological nerve system, causing encephalitis, Karadzovski explained.

He said no suspicious cases of the disease had been registered in Macedonia, but added about 60 sub-species of the mosquito were capable of carrying it.

Doctors have advised people to avoid going out during sunrise and sunset when mosquitoes are most active.

"One should wear clothes with long sleeves if entering into an area known for mosquito presence like picnic places, forests, marshes and so on" Karadzovski said.

Two people are reported to have died from the disease in the north of Greece and another 20 have contracted it.

Mayors in Northern Greece said they would expand aerial spraying in larger areas with stagnant water, open sewers and large concentrations of water and will inform the public via the media, brochures and posters.

A female patient from the south-western Bulgarian town of Blagoevgrad near the Greek border was taken to hospital on August 11, the Sofia Echo reported on Thursday.

The woman underwent examination, but there was no evidence so far to suggest she had contracted WNV.

In Albania, where tens of thousands of migrants in Greece return home in August for their summer vacations, there are also no reported suspicious cases.

Authorities have yet to take any steps to counter the spread of the virus.

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/29927/

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 3 elderly patients' deaths - number of patients rises to 32

machinetranslated from Russian

Among the hospitalised West Nile patients is a child

The number of rare cases of West Nile Virus in Greece has increased to 32

08/12/2010

ATHENS, Aug. 12 - RIA Novosti, Alexei Bogdanovsky. Thirty-two people became ill in Greece rare West Nile virus, which can cause meningitis and encephalitis, said Thursday the Greek State Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Previously reported 22 confirmed cases . Three cases have already died, but over the past five days, the virus did not cause fatalities. Illnesses are now in a hospital in Thessaloniki and Veria in northern Greece, several people have already recovered.

The Greek Ministry of Health announced on Thursday a set of measures to combat the virus. These measures include the continuous monitoring of cases of encephalitis, public awareness, ensuring the safety of donated blood. In a few localities will hunt mosquitoes to prevent the transfer of the virus from person to person.

West Nile virus spread mainly in the tropics, although there are cases when tourists are imported it into more northern latitudes. The disease is spread the mosquitoes. The virus affects the brain and the mucous membranes and is manifested in the form of fever.

The mortality in reported cases is about 4%, but it is believed that the vast majority of people infected with this virus, do not become ill or suffer a disease so easily, that do not need medical attention.

http://www.rian.ru/world/20100812/264574254.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 2 elderly patients' deaths - number of patients rises to 34

From ProMED


Date: Fri 13 Aug 2010

Source:

Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO)
Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention [edited]

http://www.keelpno.gr/keelpno/2010/id990/daily_report_20100813_en.pdf

Number of laboratory diagnosed cases of West Nile virus infection and deaths
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The total number of encephalitis and/or meningitis cases with West Nile
virus (WNV) laboratory diagnosis on 12 Aug 2010 are 2 with no deaths. The
total number of cases as of 12 Aug 2010 is 34 with 2 deaths (West Nile
virus infection manifestations do not differ from those caused by a variety
of other viruses. Therefore, diagnosis is based on laboratory testing.
Consequently, cases are recorded by date of laboratory diagnosis rather
than by date of disease onset or hospital admission.)

--
communicated by:
Dimitrios Zonios, MD
Internal Medicine
Preveza, Greece
dzonios@yahoo.com

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 3 elderly patients' deaths - number of patients rises to 34

machinetranslated

Greece-third victim of the "West Nile virus"

Source: ANA 15/08/10-14: 43

His last breath, the Infectious Hospital of Thessaloniki, he left a morning 80 years, which is the third victim of the "West Nile virus.

According to hospital administrator Peter Seridi the old hospitalized in critical condition and had serious medical history.

Remain in hospital for treatment a total of 8 persons, of whom four, among them a 12-year old girl, is in excellent condition, three people are in a steady state and feelings.

In the hospital of Veria still hospitalized 12 people in 6 of which is identified as "West Nile virus.

http://www.express.gr/news/ellada/338444oz_20100815338444.php3

================================================== ==

Elderly man dies of West Nile virus

(ANA-MPA) -- A hospitalised 80-year-old man infected with the West Nile virus died on Sunday in a Thessaloniki hospital. The elderly man was the third victim of the rare virus.

According to hospital's director, the man was hospitalised in critical condition and had a series of serious medical problems.

Eight people infected by the virus continue to be hospitalised; four are in perfect health; three patients are listed as stable while one man's condition is deemed as more serious.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=9007746&service=142

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 4 patients' deaths - number of patients rises to 60

West Nile virus kills four in Greece: ministry

(AFP) – 6 hours ago

ATHENS — Greece's health ministry said on Tuesday it was stepping up the fight against West Nile virus which has killed four people since the beginning of the month.

Some 60 people were diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday, with 13 new cases discovered on Monday, according to a statement from the Centre for the Control and Prevention of Diseases.

So far 60 people have been diagnosed with encephalitis -- an inflammation of the brain caused by the virus -- while four elderly patients, also suffering from unrelated diseases, died.

According to the centre, eight of the 29 people hospitalised on Tuesday are in intensive care.

The virus, transmitted through bites by infected mosquitoes, has so far affected populations in Greece's Macedonia region, in a zone stretching from Larissa to the northern city of Salonika, in close proximity to lakes and rivers.

The health ministry has ordered that efforts to spread insecticides in the region be intensified, targeting areas where contamination is highest. A campaign to inform the public will also be launched.

A doctor working at the centre, Doritsa Bakka, said the virus has been found in the past in Greece but had never before caused encephalitis.
She said the spread of the disease had been encouraged by a hot and wet summer, an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5io82Wd3kBIycndd4mO2_NKR2O67A

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 4 deaths - number of encephalitis patients rises to 64

machinetranslated

Measures to prevent transmission of West Nile virus

Joanna Fotiadis

Important decisions on the protection of public health taken yesterday at a scientific meeting, held at the Ministry of Health to implement measures to prevent spread of West Nile.

The flow of cases that have reached 64, it is normal: almost half of all cases have been discharged, the others have mild symptoms and only 7 are admitted to ICU.

"The symptoms from zero up to age 65 is a slight fever or no symptoms," said President of KEELPNO Mr. George Saroglou. Only 20% of those infected may experience fever and confusion, which will develop into meningitis or encephalitis. These cases require hospitalization.

But despite the reassuring statements of the competent, poisonous mosquito afflicted us for several weeks. "By the end of September there will be 5 to 10 cases a day," warns Mr. Saroglou, "it all depends on weather conditions. The outbreaks, which would amount to about 400.

- snip -

"By the end of September there will be 5 to 10 cases a day," warns Mr. Saroglou, "it all depends on weather conditions. The outbreaks, which would amount to about 400.

http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_ell_2_19/08/2010_411884

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 4 deaths - number of encephalitis patients rises to 77

machinetranslated / excerpt

The number of people infected with West Nile virus has reached to 77, among which 69 was observed breach of the central nervous system.

Please note that by Thursday morning, from patients infected with West Nile virus, 36 had been discharged from hospital and 33 more hospitalized, of whom 8 were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while no one was treated no.

It warned the president of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, by the end of September will be recorded daily five to ten cases. At the same time, the Ministry of Health has quarantined 2000 units of blood, until they go through molecular testing, as well as the donations were suspended in areas where outbreaks have occurred in the West Nile virus.

http://www.ant1online.gr/Society/General/Pages/20108/e89eabd1-c827-427c-8cb2-c7a18eea0219.aspx

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 7 deaths - number of encephalitis patients rises to 77

machinetranslated / excerpt

Three elders died from West Nile virus

Source: Express.gr 19/08/10-16: 00

Three elders in the record of the underlying diseases, are the new victims of West Nile virus.

One patient died the other day and laboratory diagnosis was confirmed yesterday, while another two died yesterday.

The total number of deaths from infection caused by West Nile virus rose to seven yesterday.

According to data from the last KEELPNO diagnosed 13 new cases.

http://www.express.gr/news/ellada/339701oz_20100819339701.php3

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 8 deaths - number of encephalitis patients rises to 92

machinetranslated/excerpt

Another victim of West Nile virus

NAFTEMPORIKI.GR

Friday, August 20, 2010

Another man lost his life Thursday by the West Nile virus bringing the total number of deaths from infection in 8.

According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as a whole have infected 92 people of whom 15 were diagnosed Thursday.

So this morning from patients infected with West Nile virus, 44 had been discharged and 37 hospitalized yet, of whom eight in the ICU.

Three patients have received treatment in hospital.

At the same time, the Board of Pesticides approved new drugs to combat the mosquitoes that cause outbreaks of encephalitis.

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Greece - West Nile virus confirmed in 8 deaths - number of encephalitis patients rises to 92

8 Die from West Nile Virus in Greece, Bulgaria in the Clear
Health | August 20, 2010, Friday


The Bulgarian Health Ministry has announced that there are no deadly mosquitoes in the country. Eight people have died in Greece as a result of infection with the West Nile virus, carried out by mosquitoes, the Greek ANA-MPA news agency has reported.

On Friday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) announced that the number of infected people reached 92, 15 of which were diagnosed on Thursday.

The West Nile virus begins with a fever, high temperature, nausea and vomiting, which are the symptoms of an ordinary virus infection.

However, the symptoms turn very fast into encephalitis and meningitis and the infected need urgent hospitalization.

The head of KEELPNO has warned that the peak of the infections with the deadly virus will continue until the end of September. By then, between 5 and 10 new cases are expected to be diagnosed every day, he said.

The Greek Health Ministry has announced it is increasing the efforts in the fight against the mosquitoes, carriers of the West Nile virus.

The virus has spread in the regions from the cities of Larisa to Thessaloniki, nearby lakes and rivers.

The Greek Health Ministry has ordered a more intense spraying of insecticides with a focus on the areas where the virus has reached its highest levels.

A campaign for public awareness will also be started, officials from the Greek Health Ministry have stated.

The Bulgarian Health Ministry has stated that they have not detected any deadly mosquitoes and have not registered any cases of the West Nile virus in the country.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=119357