By Sam Blanchard Senior Health Reporter For Mailonline
Published: 12:49 BST, 18 June 2019 | Updated: 12:50 BST, 18 June 2019
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People travelling to Greece this summer should be wary of mosquitoes which may be carrying the deadly West Nile virus.
The country's health authorities said the virus has become a 'public health issue' there after more than 300 people were infected last year.
Fluey symptoms, feeling sick and a skin rash are usual signs of the infection, for which there is no vaccine but which usually goes away on its own.
But it can be deadly and cause meningitis, seizures or weakness in some people – 50 Greek people died of the illness last year.
Officials in Greece said the West Nile virus has spread from rural areas into more populated cities like Thessaloniki and the region around Athens. The British Government warned healthcare may be limited on islands, such as Santorini (pictured)
'There have been enough cases to know that this is now a public health issue,' Danai Pervanidou, spokesman for the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, aka Keelpno, told The Guardian.
There were 316 West Nile virus cases diagnosed in Greece last year – a record high.
The infection cannot spread between people and is only caught from mosquito bites. Most people who get it don't show any symptoms but it can become serious.
Mr Pervanidou added: 'The virus has established itself in Greece through migratory birds and we are recommending that everyone takes personal protective measures such as wearing long sleeves, avoiding places with stagnant water and using mosquito nets and repellent.'
And he said the virus has spread out of rural
