The first case of West Nile virus in 2026 has been detected in Cyprus. Infectious disease specialist Aristos Aristodimou told CNA that the patient, a 70-year-old man, is in serious condition and is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Nicosia General Hospital.
As Dr. Aristodemou explained, this is a case that falls within the very small percentage of patients infected with the West Nile virus who may develop a severe infection of the central nervous system. These patients are usually elderly or immunocompromised individuals, although this is not always the case.
He added that the majority of infections with this virus are asymptomatic, while a small percentage may present with flu-like symptoms.
Mr. Aristodemou clarified that this is a virus transmitted exclusively through the bite of a mosquito that carries it and that it is not transmitted from person to person.
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