Two more people die from West Nile virus as Dutch cases reach 77

Two more people have died from West Nile virus infections, bringing the number of reported fatalities in the Netherlands to 12. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) recorded the two deaths over the past week.

The Netherlands recorded just one new West Nile virus infection in the past week, bringing the total to 77 cases. With mosquito season now over, the RIVM believes the outbreak has passed its peak.

The latest infection was reported in Zuid-Holland, which has recorded 45 of the Netherlands' 77 confirmed cases. Utrecht follows with 14 infections, while Noord-Holland and Noord-Brabant have each reported seven. Gelderland and Overijssel have recorded two cases apiece.

The RIVM's weekly update also reported five new positive tests among birds and four among horses.

The virus circulates among birds and can spread to humans through mosquito bites. Most infected people experience no symptoms or only mild illness, but some develop flu-like symptoms or more severe complications.

In rare cases, West Nile virus can cause inflammation of the brain or its surrounding membranes, or a polio-like illness. People with underlying health problems are at greater risk of dying from the infection.

Before this year, West Nile virus had only been detected in people in the Netherlands in 2020, when eight infections were recorded in the Utrecht and Arnhem regions.