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Greece Reports 290 West Nile Virus Cases As Attica Drives Surge

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

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.

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.

LVMH Revenue Rises, But China Weakness Continues To Weigh On Luxury Giant

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

A Softer Quarter Exposes The Limits Of Luxury’s Recovery

LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group and parent of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine and Hennessy, reported revenue of €18.5 billion in the three months to the end of September, underscoring both the scale of its business and the pressure building across parts of the luxury market.

The company’s revenue rose 1.2% year on year in the third quarter, following a 0.1% increase in the second quarter and a 5.9% decline in the first. The trajectory points to stabilization, but not yet to a convincing rebound.

Organic Growth Misses Expectations

Organic sales growth, which strips out currency effects and portfolio changes, slowed to 1% in the third quarter from 3% in the previous quarter. That result fell short of market expectations and reinforced concerns that the luxury cycle remains uneven.

For the first nine months of the year, LVMH generated sales of €57.1 billion, with organic growth of 2%.

In its statement, the company highlighted the breadth of its portfolio, saying that diversification continues to provide resilience in an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment. That remains one of LVMH’s defining strengths: when one category weakens, another can help offset the downturn.

China Remains The Key Pressure Point

LVMH said sales performed well in the United States, Europe and Japan, but conditions in China remained less favorable. That matters because the country has long been one of the most important growth engines for global luxury brands.

The fashion and leather goods division, LVMH’s most closely watched unit, saw organic sales fall 5% as weaker demand in China weighed on performance. Deutsche Bank said the decline was steeper than the roughly 2% drop expected by analysts.

The segment had delivered its first organic sales gain in two years in the previous quarter, making the latest retreat a notable setback.

Brand Equity Faces A Test In China

The quarter also highlighted the reputational risks facing global brands in China. Louis Vuitton drew criticism after suing local tea company Molly Tea over logo copying. Although the company won the case, the dispute sparked social media backlash and boycott calls, adding another layer of pressure to an already fragile environment.

For a company built on scarcity, aspiration and brand discipline, perception is an asset as valuable as inventory. In a market as digitally connected as China, that asset can shift quickly.

Mixed Performance Across The Portfolio

Not every division weakened. LVMH’s selective retailing business, which includes Sephora, posted an 8% organic sales increase. Watches and jewellery, along with wines and spirits, both recorded 6% organic gains.

That broad mix is precisely what has historically given LVMH an advantage over rivals: it can absorb softness in one category without relying on a single growth driver.

Analysts See A Longer Recovery Ahead

Deutsche Bank analysts said the results could lead to further cuts in earnings forecasts for the second half of 2026 and 2027. They added that it is difficult to see what could improve investor sentiment in the near term.

Still, the bank framed the weakness as cyclical rather than structural. In its view, recovery is taking longer because Chinese demand remains subdued, but the problem does not appear to reflect a permanent deterioration in the brand franchise. Analysts said ongoing brand initiatives are beginning to show results, though improvements are likely to remain gradual.

Investor Pressure Continues To Mount

LVMH’s share price has fallen nearly 40% since the start of the year. In September, L’Oréal overtook the group as France’s most valuable listed company, a symbolic shift that captures how sharply sentiment has changed.

Shares in LVMH were down more than 1.6% in Paris around 10 a.m. CEST following the release.

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