Two cases of dengue fever were recorded in July, in Cyprus, according to State Health Services Organisation. In a statement, the Organisation’s press spokesperson, Charalambos Charilaou, clarified that last month “two cases of Dengue fever were recorded, and not of West Nile virus, as has been reported.”

The first case of West Nile virus in Cyprus for 2026 was announced on Thursday by Health Ministry officials.

According to Charilaou, the cases of Dengue fever involved a woman who travelled recently and after developing symptoms, visited the A&E department of a state hospital. During her examination, a healthcare professional who came into contact with the woman’s blood also contracted the virus. According to Charilaou, both patients were discharged several days ago.

Speaking to CNA, Aristos Aristodemou, an infectious disease specialist at the Ministry of Health, explained that there is no link between the occurrence of the two viruses, as they are transmitted by different vectors. Specifically, he said that Dengue is transmitted mainly through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, both of which are present in Cyprus. The West Nile virus is transmitted by the Culex mosquito, which is also found in Cyprus.

He emphasised, however, that no cases of dengue fever have been caused by mosquito bites in Cyprus, either this year or in previous years.

Regarding the human-to-human transmission observed in the case of the healthcare professional, he said that this is described in the bibliography as an occupational infection and an occupational accident.

“It is not an unprecedented occurrence; whilst it is rare, it is described as an accident,” he added.

Source: Parikiaki.com