Hungary is not in danger of succumbing to an epidemic of West Nile virus, the chief medical officer said. Reports of the illness primarily involved people in a chronic state of health, with a weakened immune system, Attila Kovács said. West Nile virus has been present in Hungary for
50 years and there are usually 10-40 cases reported each year. Last year there were 23 registered cases, he said, adding that this year’s increase
was due to an early start to the season. By August 23, a total of 58 cases were reported and 55 had to be treated in hospital. In the case of four deaths, West Nile virus may have played a part. They all involved men suffering from a chronic illness and three of them were above 80 years old, he said.