Greece Issues West Nile Virus Prevention Guidelines for Summer

Friday, 29 May 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

Greece's National Public Health Organization (EODY) has issued updated guidelines on protecting yourself from mosquitoes and the West Nile virus, which is present in parts of Greece including Crete during warmer months. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites, primarily from dusk to dawn. Most infected people show no symptoms, but a small percentage can develop serious illness. EODY recommends using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin, wearing long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk, sleeping under mosquito nets or in air-conditioned rooms with screens, and eliminating standing water around accommodation. Tourists spending time outdoors, particularly near wetlands, rivers, or rural areas, should take these precautions seriously. If you develop fever, headache, or neurological symptoms after mosquito exposure, seek medical attention promptly.