Climate change projections of West Nile virus infections in Europe: implications for blood safety practices

West Nile Virus transmission is now established in several countries in Europe. The study and predictive models show that further West Nile Virus dispersal in the coming years to adjacent districts. Thus monitoring and modelling of climate and environmental conditions can help delineate districts at risk of transmission in the future. This knowledge can be used to identify areas at risk of current and future West Nile Virus transmission. Based on this information targeted integrated surveillance, vector control measures, outreach to the public and health care sector, strengthened laboratory capacity for reliable West Nile Virus diagnosis, and systematic screening of blood donors can be established in a timely manner. The study calls for more inter-sectoral collaboration to deal with the challenges of the West Nile Virus transmission.