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Greece Reports 290 West Nile Virus Cases As Attica Drives Surge

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 4, 2026

West Nile virus transmission is intensifying across Greece, with Attica accounting for more than half of reported infections and Thessaly and Central Macedonia also recording significant case numbers, according to the Hellenic National Public Health Organisation (EODY).

In its latest weekly report, covering data through Sept. 2, EODY said 290 domestically acquired infections had been reported since the start of the current transmission season. The agency expects additional cases in the coming weeks as virus circulation remains elevated.

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Neurological Cases Account For Most Infections

Of the 290 cases, 199 involved neurological disease affecting the central nervous system, including encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis. Another 91 patients experienced milder illness or had no central nervous system involvement.

The median age of patients with neurological symptoms was 74. As of Sept. 2, 24 deaths had been recorded, all among people older than 65, with a median age of 83. A total of 63 patients were hospitalized, including 32 in intensive care and 31 in ordinary wards. Another 182 patients had been discharged.

Attica Accounts For More Than Half Of Cases

About 166 of the 290 infections were reported in Attica, more than half the national total. Thessaly and Central Macedonia followed with 52 cases each. Crete recorded three cases, while Central Greece and the Peloponnese reported two and one, respectively. The place of exposure remains under investigation for another 14 cases.

EODY described circulation in Attica as “particularly intense” and said case numbers are higher than in previous years. Infections have been identified in 69 municipalities, 20 regional units and six regions.

Larissa And Eastern Attica Report Multiple Cases

Larissa recorded the most cases at 27, followed by Spata–Artemida with 19. Markopoulo Mesogaias and Agia Paraskevi each reported 14, while Pella recorded 13.

Vari–Voula–Vouliagmeni and Halandri each had 12 cases. Eastern Attica also recorded high numbers of neurological cases, including 17 in Spata–Artemida and 11 each in Markopoulo Mesogaias and Vari–Voula–Vouliagmeni. Agia Paraskevi and Halandri each recorded 10 severe cases in the Northern Sector of Athens.

EODY Adds Municipalities To High-Risk List

EODY has designated additional municipalities as high risk despite no reported human cases as of Sept. 2. In Attica, these include Iraklio, Nea Smyrni, Palaio Faliro, Nea Filadelfia–Nea Chalkidona, Dafni–Ymittos and Ilion.

Other designated areas include municipalities in Trikala, Serres, Thessaloniki, Pieria, Kilkis, Corinthia, Heraklion in Crete, Thasos and Tinos. The classifications consider epidemiological, geomorphological and other risk indicators.

Officials Expect More Cases

EODY expects additional infections in areas already affected and potentially in new locations, saying the virus’s geographic spread cannot be predicted with certainty.

The agency is urging people across Greece to maintain mosquito protection measures for as long as mosquitoes remain active.

Cyprus Has Four Confirmed Cases

Cyprus has reported four confirmed West Nile virus cases, with two additional cases under investigation. Health authorities are urging vigilance but say the current data do not indicate a particular cause for alarm.

Deputy Head of the Health Services Herodotos Herodotou told SIGMA’s Protoselido program that caution remains important so health services can respond quickly to developments.

Herodotou said infected mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans and noted that Cyprus has used mosquito-control measures for decades. He also said the mosquito species involved has long existed on the island. Where cases are identified, health services are applying measures including spraying around patients’ homes, inspections and door-to-door tracing.

Mosquito Control Remains Key

Residents are advised to remove standing water from plant pots, fountains, gutters and other areas where mosquitoes can breed. Personal protection measures include window screens, particularly in homes with elderly residents, and fans to reduce mosquito activity indoors. EODY recommends maintaining these precautions throughout the period of mosquito activity.

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Limassol Port Electrification Awaits Grid Connection And EU Funding

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 14, 2026

Plans to equip Limassol port with shore-side electricity are advancing at the technical level, but unresolved administrative procedures, a pending grid connection and the need to secure European funding continue to delay implementation.

The proposed shore-power system, also known as cold ironing, would allow vessels to connect to electricity while berthed, reducing reliance on onboard engines and cutting emissions and noise in the surrounding area.

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Technical Studies Near Completion

Transport Minister Evi Tsolaki said work is progressing through the EU-backed DecarbonLim programme, which is preparing the technical assessment and feasibility study required before construction can begin. The ministry is seeking regular updates from the Cyprus Ports Authority on the studies’ completion timetable.

The initiative also involves Frederick University, Eurogate Container Terminal Limassol, DP World Limassol, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, the Cyprus Transmission System Operator and Limassol Municipality.

Grid Connection Remains A Key Hurdle

Despite progress on the studies, construction cannot proceed until the project secures a connection to the national transmission network.

Tsolaki said the ministry has requested land from the Department of Lands and Surveys for an electricity substation. Once the site is allocated, the relevant applications can be submitted to the Cyprus Transmission System Operator to advance the grid-connection process.

Until these steps are completed, the project will remain in the preparatory phase, even if the technical studies are finalised.

European Funding Adds Urgency

The feasibility work under DecarbonLim will support an application for construction financing, Tsolaki said. A competitive European funding call is currently open, and the ministry intends to submit an application within the required timeframe.

The funding window has raised concerns in parliament. MP Fotini Tsiridou warned that further delays could undermine Cyprus’ chances of securing EU support, noting that similar port electrification projects elsewhere in the bloc have already received funding.

Speaking to Entrepreneurial Limassol, published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tsiridou said she had observed some progress but had yet to receive a formal response to her parliamentary question.

Environmental And Commercial Benefits

Tsiridou argued that shore-side electricity would deliver benefits beyond emissions reductions, including less noise and air pollution for residents near the port.

“Our port should not be disconnected from the rest of the city,” she said, describing shore-power infrastructure as both a necessity and a European obligation.

Across Europe, port electrification is increasingly linked to environmental performance and competitiveness. By allowing compatible vessels to switch off auxiliary engines while docked, shore-power systems can reduce local emissions and noise while supporting wider decarbonisation goals.

Construction Timetable Still Unclear

The Cyprus Ports Authority signed a contract with DBA S.p.A. in July 2025 for a comprehensive study of the system’s technical, economic and environmental requirements. The work was intended to establish the basis for installation and identify any necessary port infrastructure upgrades.

More than a year later, key steps concerning land allocation, grid connection and financing remain unresolved. No timetable has been announced for completing these procedures or submitting the final funding application.

Limassol’s shore-power project therefore remains between planning and implementation. Its next milestones are securing the substation site, progressing the transmission-network application and obtaining construction financing. Until these are in place, the port’s transition to shore-side electricity cannot move into the construction phase.