Since its first appearance in North America in 1999, West Nile virus has steadily spread outward from the initial cases in the New York area. This week, it was identified in a dead crow for the first time in British Colombia. West Nile Virus has been seen historically in Europe but it has been far less common in recent years. Therefore, Greece’s announcement of 32 cases and at least 2 deaths has concerned its neighbors. Approximately 80% of people who are infected show no signs of illness, but in rare cases (about 1 in 150) severe and potentially fatal illness can occur.
