Two mosquito-borne diseases have drawn attention in Greece and Turkey this week, but the cases are unrelated. West Nile virus is responsible for nine deaths in Greece, while Turkish journalist Serdar Akinan contracted dengue during a trip abroad.
West Nile Cases Rise Sharply in Greece
Greece is experiencing one of its fastest-developing West Nile virus seasons in recent years. According to figures released by the National Public Health Organisation (EODY) on 13 August, 110 locally acquired infections had been recorded by 12 August.
Of these patients, 81 developed complications affecting the central nervous system, including encephalitis, meningitis and acute flaccid paralysis. Nine people have died, all of them over the age of 65, while 16 patients remain in intensive care.
The sudden acceleration in infections has heightened concern among health authorities. Forty-five cases were diagnosed in just one week. Investigations have identified infections in 39 municipalities across 14 regional units in Attica, Thessaly, Central Macedonia and the Peloponnese. Attica remains the main centre of the outbreak.
Attica regional governor Nikos Hardalias said mosquito-control spraying in Athens and the surrounding areas had been increased by approximately 30 per cent.
The figures have already surpassed Greece’s total for the whole of 2025, when 96 cases and nine deaths were recorded. Epidemiologist Theodora Psaltopoulou noted that Greece had reached last year’s death toll by mid-August, whereas in 2025 the same number was not recorded until late October.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has identified Greece and Italy as the countries with the broadest circulation of West Nile virus in Europe. By 5 August, infections had been detected in 59 European areas.
Turkey Issues Advice to Travellers
No West Nile cases have been reported in Turkey in 2026. Nevertheless, on 13 August, the Turkish Medical Association’s Coordination Council of Medical Specialty Associations (TTB-UDEK) advised people returning from Greece to seek medical attention if they develop fever, headache, severe fatigue, muscle or joint pain, or a rash.
Travellers were also urged to tell doctors about their recent journey and to seek urgent assistance if neurological symptoms appear. The council did not advise against travelling to Greece.
There is currently no licensed vaccine for human use and no specific antiviral treatment for West Nile virus.
Turkey’s warning also reflects its experience in 2024, when the country recorded its largest known outbreak. A surveillance study published this year found that 133 cases and 13 deaths occurred between July and October 2024. Seventy-eight patients developed neurological complications, while almost half of all infections were recorded in Istanbul. At the time, however, the Health Ministry had confirmed only six cases by August.
Journalist Serdar Akinan Diagnosed with Dengue
In a separate development, veteran Turkish journalist Serdar Akinan announced on 13 August that he had been diagnosed with dengue after suffering a high fever, extreme fatigue and changes to his voice.
Akinan said he had been bitten by an Aedes mosquito while travelling abroad. According to the journalist, doctors told him that no specific medication was available and advised him to drink plenty of fluids. He was also warned not to take aspirin, as blood-thinning medicines can increase the risk of bleeding.
Speaking emotionally on his YouTube channel, Akinan said that after spending years reporting from conflict zones, he had never imagined that a mosquito-borne illness would leave him in such a condition. During the broadcast, he also read out his will.
Dengue is not considered endemic in Turkey, and reported infections are generally linked to international travel. However, the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which can transmit the virus, has become established along Turkey’s Black Sea coast and in Thrace.
Most people infected with dengue recover within two weeks. Between January and June 2026, the World Health Organization recorded 1.6 million cases and more than 700 deaths across 89 countries.