ATHENS, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from complications linked to the West Nile virus in Greece has risen to 44 so far this year, according to the latest count by the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO), local ANT1 TV reported on Friday.
According to KEEPLNO's most recent report, until Nov. 1, a total of 312 laboratory diagnosed cases had been reported to the center. In 238 cases, patients suffered from neuro-invasive diseases such as encephalitis, meningitis and acute flaccid paralysis, while in 74 cases patients had only mild symptoms.
All 44 victims were elderly over 63 years old.
Currently nine persons were still hospitalized, including five in intensive care.
The virus which is transmitted by mosquitoes was first detected in Greece in 2010, with 262 confirmed cases and 35 deaths. In 2017 Greece reported five fatalities.
