West Nile fever cases in Cyprus rise to 14

Since the beginning of the season, 14 cases of West Nile virus infection have been registered in Cyprus. Nine of them have been confirmed by laboratory tests, while five more are considered probable. One patient with severe underlying health conditions has died.

At the beginning of the month, the figures were considerably lower: on 1 September, the island had recorded four confirmed cases, and on 3 September — six, with the first death reported that same day. By mid-September, the number of people infected had more than doubled.

In Nicosia, the municipality carries out mosquito control treatment every day, including weekends. The work is being conducted along the beds of the Klimos, Kateva and Kotsirka rivers, as well as in stormwater grates and rainwater wells.

Inspectors are checking the places where mosquitoes breed most frequently: abandoned swimming pools, construction hoist shafts and open channels. According to the municipality, in approximately 60% of cases, the source is found either on the same property from which the complaint was made or at a neighbouring property.

Residents are urged to regularly inspect their homes, gardens and yards and not to leave standing water in buckets, flowerpot trays, animal bowls, gutters or unused swimming pools.