One death, 14 West Nile virus cases recorded in Cyprus

Nicosia, Cyprus. One person has died and 14 cases of West Nile virus have been recorded in Cyprus so far this year, while Nicosia municipality continues daily mosquito-control operations across the capital.

According to the health ministry’s medical and public health services, nine cases recorded up to September 17 have been confirmed and five are considered probable.

Health ministry figures

One patient with a serious medical history and underlying health conditions died after contracting the virus.

Mosquito-control operations

Nicosia municipality said mosquito-control operations are carried out daily, including at weekends, in areas where breeding grounds have been identified or where residents have submitted complaints.

Treatments are being conducted along the Klimos, Kateva and Kotsirka river channels, as well as in drainage grates, rainwater wells, storm drains and other locations where stagnant water can accumulate.

Municipal services regularly inspect known or suspected mosquito breeding sites, including abandoned swimming pools, lift shafts at construction sites, open channels and other areas where standing water may collect.

Advice to residents

The municipality said complaints are investigated and inspections may extend to neighbouring properties where necessary. Around 60 per cent of breeding grounds are found either at the property from which a complaint was made or at a neighbouring property.

Residents were urged to regularly inspect homes, gardens and outdoor areas and remove standing water.