Europe disease surveillance
West Nile virus in Europe — 2025–2026 case data
In 2025, Italy reported the most West Nile virus cases of any EU/EEA country — 779 cases and 72 deaths, ahead of France (62) and Spain (36). The 2026 season's first human case in Europe was reported in North Macedonia (Vardar). Figures cover the countries Mosticare tracks (updated 10 June 2026); ECDC publishes the full EU/EEA total.
Last updated · 10 June 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Key facts
The first human West Nile virus case of the 2026 season in the European Region was reported in the Vardar region of North Macedonia — one locally-acquired case — per the ECDC weekly West Nile virus surveillance report dated 3 June 2026. At season opening (week 23) North Macedonia was the only European country reporting a 2026 human WNV case.
Source: ECDC · Surveillance of West Nile virus infections in humans in Europe (weekly report, 3 June 2026) · verified 10 June 2026
Italy recorded the most human West Nile virus cases in the EU/EEA in 2025 — 779 confirmed cases — the largest single-country WNV total in the region that year, concentrated in Lombardia, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna.
Source: Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) · verified 25 May 2026
Italy reported 72 West Nile virus deaths in 2025 — a case fatality rate of 9.2% across 779 confirmed cases — the highest national WNV death toll in the EU/EEA that season.
Source: Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) · verified 25 May 2026
The data
| Country / region | Disease | Cases | Deaths | Period | Source | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia · Vardar | West Nile virus | 1 | 0 | 2026 transmission season (year-to-date) | ECDC · Surveillance of West Nile virus infections in humans in Europe (weekly report) | 10 June 2026 |
| France | West Nile virus | 0 | 0 | 2026 transmission season (year-to-date) | Santé publique France | 10 June 2026 |
| Italy | West Nile virus | 0 | 0 | 2026 transmission season (year-to-date) | Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) | 10 June 2026 |
| Spain · Andalusia | West Nile virussurveillance · 117 high-risk municipalities | 0 | 0 | 2026 transmission season (year-to-date) | Junta de Andalucía · Consejería de Salud y Consumo | 31 May 2026 |
| Spain | West Nile virus | 0 | 0 | 2026 transmission season (year-to-date) | ECDC · Surveillance of West Nile virus infections in humans in Europe (weekly report) | 10 June 2026 |
| Italy | West Nile virus | 779 | 72 | 2025 transmission season | Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) | 25 May 2026 |
| France | West Nile virus | 62 | 0 | 2025 transmission season | Santé publique France | 25 May 2026 |
| Spain | West Nile virus | 36 | 0 | 2025 transmission season | ECDC · Surveillance of West Nile virus infections in Europe (monthly report, data up to 3 December 2025) | 25 May 2026 |
| Spain · Andalusia | West Nile virussurveillance · 109 high-risk municipalities | 0 | 0 | 2025 transmission season | Junta de Andalucía · Consejería de Salud y Consumo | 25 May 2026 |
About West Nile virus
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widespread mosquito-borne disease in continental Europe. It is transmitted by Culex mosquitoes — mainly Culex pipiens, the common house mosquito — which bridge from birds to humans during late-summer urban swarms. Most human infections are mild or symptom-free; a small share progress to neuro-invasive disease, which carries the mortality risk. The European transmission window runs roughly from week 22 to week 43 (early June to late October).
Frequently asked questions
What was the first West Nile virus case in Europe in 2026?
The first human West Nile virus case of the 2026 season in the European Region was reported in the Vardar region of North Macedonia — one locally-acquired case — per the ECDC weekly West Nile virus surveillance report dated 3 June 2026. At season opening (week 23) North Macedonia was the only European country reporting a 2026 human WNV case.
Which European country had the most West Nile virus cases in 2025?
Italy recorded the most human West Nile virus cases in the EU/EEA in 2025 — 779 confirmed cases — the largest single-country WNV total in the region that year, concentrated in Lombardia, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna.
How many people died of West Nile virus in Italy in 2025?
Italy reported 72 West Nile virus deaths in 2025 — a case fatality rate of 9.2% across 779 confirmed cases — the highest national WNV death toll in the EU/EEA that season.
How many West Nile virus cases were reported in Europe in 2025?
Across the countries Mosticare tracks, 2025 West Nile virus cases were: Italy 779, France 62, Spain 36. These are national totals from each country's health authority; for the complete EU/EEA figure, ECDC's surveillance is the primary source.
How many West Nile virus cases have been reported in Europe in 2026?
So far in the 2026 season the tracked countries report: North Macedonia 1. The feed is refreshed weekly during transmission season; ECDC publishes the full EU/EEA running total.
Which mosquito transmits West Nile virus in Europe?
West Nile virus is transmitted in Europe by Culex pipiens (Northern house mosquito). Native across all of Europe. Night feeder, prefers birds but bridges to humans during late summer urban swarms.
When is West Nile virus season in Europe?
The continental-European West Nile virus transmission window runs approximately from week 22 to week 43 — early June to late October — peaking in late summer. Surveillance plans in Italy, France and Spain reactivate at the start of this window each year.
Sources
Explore more
About this data
Mosticare aggregates and re-publishes vector-borne disease surveillance from ECDC, EFSA, and national ministries of health. Mosticare is an aggregator, not a primary surveillance authority — every figure on this page cites the originating source and is independently verifiable. This is a partial aggregation; for the complete EU/EEA totals, ECDC is the primary source.
The data behind this page is published as a free, machine-readable feed under CC BY 4.0: /threat-map/feed.json (JSON Schema). See the live Europe threat map and the full data room.