France's national health agency has recorded more than 161 cases of West Nile virus and five deaths since its annual seasonal surveillance began on 1 May. Transmitted to humans by mosquitos, which contract it from birds, the virus is progressing rapidly across Europe. Experts say global warming is fostering the spread of such tropical diseases.
In its most recent bulletin published on 7 October, French public health agency Santé Publique France reported 161 human cases of the West Nile virus nationwide, 16 more than the week before.