West Nile Virus Claims a Patient's Life in Romania. Two Further Cases Confirmed in July

The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) has announced that, between 3 June and 16 July 2026, three cases of West Nile virus infection were confirmed in Romania, transmitted through mosquito bites. One of the patients died.

According to INSP, the cases were recorded in one patient aged between 20 and 29 years old and two patients aged between 70 and 79 years old. The infections were reported in Argeș, Iași, and Suceava counties. The person who died was from Argeș county.

What specialists recommend to prevent infection

Health authorities are advising the public, particularly elderly people, who are at greater risk of complications, to take a few simple protective measures against mosquitoes:

• Avoiding exposure to mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved clothing and long trousers
• Using mosquito repellents
• Using insecticides inside and around the home
• Fitting protective screens on windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house
• Draining puddles of standing water in the yard or around the property
• Removing containers with stagnant water and household waste, which can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes

These measures are particularly important during the summer months, when mosquito activity is at its most intense and the risk of West Nile virus transmission increases.