Europe has recorded 1,086 official cases of West Nile virus across 15 countries, according to the latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The infections were all contracted within the countries concerned, rather than being brought in from outside the EU.

Italy and Greece have been hit hardest, with 516 and 284 registered cases respectively.

Cases have also been reported in countries including the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France and Austria.

Belgium has not so far recorded any human infections, although the virus has already been detected in animals.