REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ATHENS -- An elderly man was infected with the West Nile virus in the wider Athens region, Greek authorities reported on Wednesday.

Scientists of the national Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) have not disclosed details on the condition of the 85-year-old patient, but suggest to the public to take measures to ward off mosquitoes which can transmit the dangerous virus.

The West Nile virus can cause encephalitis and other fatal diseases. In most cases patients have mild symptoms and there is no need of hospitalization.

But about 1 percent of people who are infected face life threatening effects. Most of them are elderly with poor health suffering from chronic illnesses.

Outbreaks of the virus are connected with high temperatures and Greece is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures rising up to 41 degrees Celsius this week.

The virus first emerged in Greece in 2010, when 262 confirmed cases were recorded, among them 35 fatal. Last year there were 86 reported cases and 11 deaths.

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