Two West Nile virus deaths confirmed in Flanders as EU cases hit record
Flemish health authorities said both people who died belonged to a risk group for severe illness. ECDC data show the EU recorded 1,715 human cases this year, with 130 deaths.
Two deaths confirmed in Flanders
Flemish health authorities announced on Thursday, 15 October 2026, that two people had died after infection with West Nile virus. Both belonged to a risk group for severe illness. The Flemish Agency for Health counts 14 confirmed human infections in Flanders, two of them fatal, up from the 10 infections across Flanders and Brussels that were announced earlier. The virus was first detected in Belgium in birds in 2025. In 2026 it was found again, and for the first time horses and humans were infected, in residents of Antwerp and Flemish Brabant.
- Virus first detected in Belgium, in birds
- First infections in horses and humans, in Antwerp and Flemish Brabant
- 10 infections confirmed across Flanders and Brussels
- Two deaths announced in Flanders, with 14 confirmed infections there
Anneleen De Sadeleer of the Flemish Agency for Health said the deaths were not a complete surprise, because the virus had been circulating locally in Flanders for several months.
Unfortunately, two people have died following an infection with the West Nile virus.
What the virologists say about the risk
Steven Van Gucht, a virologist at Sciensano, said the deaths were in line with expectations and that more could follow. Citing southern European countries where the virus has long been present, he said roughly 10% of severe infections prove fatal. About 1% of infected people develop serious forms, such as inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Sciensano counts around 16 people in Belgium with severe symptoms or confirmed cases. Van Gucht stressed that the virus will not turn into an epidemic.
Most people who are infected have a mild illness, with fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue.
How the virus reaches people
The virus circulates mainly among wild birds. Mosquitoes that feed on an infected bird can then pass it to a human or a horse, and humans and horses are dead ends that cannot pass it on. According to Sciensano, the carrier is the common Culex mosquito, not the tiger mosquito, and it bites mostly in the evening and at night. Direct person-to-person spread does not occur, and the incubation period runs from two to 14 days. There is no vaccine for humans, although one exists for horses. Van Gucht said face masks and handwashing do not help, so people should use mosquito nets and long sleeves instead. Warmer temperatures help the virus multiply and speed up mosquito development, which Sciensano links to climate change.
Spread across Europe
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 1,715 human cases in the EU this year and 130 deaths, with the virus now reaching new northern regions. Italy remains the most affected country with 748 cases, while Greece, Italy and France are the worst hit overall. Greece and France recorded their highest human case counts since they began surveillance, according to ECDC data cited by Le Soir. La Libre reported about 59 confirmed human cases and 10 deaths in the Netherlands.
- EU total
- 1715 cases
- Italy
- 748 cases
What authorities are doing
Flemish Minister of Welfare Caroline Gennez said the ministry is following the spread closely. The authorities are briefing care providers and nursing homes on how to avoid mosquito bites. Flemish officials urge older people and those with weakened immune systems to keep protecting themselves. According to the Agency, the mosquito season is nearly over, but La Libre notes that further deaths could emerge over several weeks among patients who were already ill.
Together with the Department, we are closely monitoring the spread of the West Nile virus.
