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The Netherlands has recorded four more deaths from West Nile virus, bringing this year's total to nine fatalities and 56 infections. The outbreak is likely past its peak, but cases are also rising in Greece and Italy. Warmer temperatures are expanding mosquito habitats across Europe, fueling the spread.
The Netherlands is grappling with its worst West Nile virus outbreak in years, with four new deaths reported by the country's public health institute RIVM. The first locally contracted case in six years was flagged just in August, and the situation escalated quickly — though officials now believe the outbreak has likely peaked as new infections have slowed in recent weeks.
The virus, primarily spread through mosquito bites, causes severe illness in roughly 1 in 150 infected individuals. The Netherlands isn't alone — cases have also climbed in Greece and Italy, pointing to a broader European trend that health authorities are watching closely.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Climate change is a key driver here. The WHO warns that record heatwaves across Europe are giving mosquitoes more time and territory to spread West Nile virus — a dynamic that could make outbreaks like this one increasingly common in regions that historically saw little to no transmission.
