West Nile: ISS reports 173 confirmed cases and 11 reported deaths

Since the beginning of the year, confirmed cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in humans in Italy have risen to 173 (89 in the previous bulletin of July 31) and 11 deaths have been reported to the ISS platform, with confirmation of the others pending. This is the picture emerging from the fourth surveillance bulletin on the spread of the virus, published today by the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS). Of the confirmed cases, 72 were neuroinvasive (2 Piedmont, 2 Lombardy, 4 Veneto, 1 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 2 Emilia-Romagna, 37 Lazio, 21 Campania, 1 Basilicata, 1 Sardinia), 14 asymptomatic cases were identified in blood donors, 85 cases of fever, 1 asymptomatic case, and 1 symptomatic case. Of the confirmed cases, 11 deaths have been reported to date on the ISS platform (1 Piedmont, 4 Lazio, 6 Campania). The case fatality rate, calculated for the neuroinvasive forms reported so far, is 15% (20% in 2018, 14% in 2024). "The situation is being closely monitored by all relevant institutions, both centrally and locally. At the moment, there are no particular alarm signals," emphasizes Anna Teresa Palamara, director of the ISS's infectious diseases department. "We emphasize the importance of prevention measures, both those aimed at combating mosquito breeding and those aimed at protecting against bites. We also remind everyone, especially the frail or elderly, to contact their doctor if they develop a fever."

Seventh West Nile virus death in Lazio, 77-year-old man already on dialysis. A 77-year-old man died today at Gemelli Isola Tiberina Hospital due to West Nile virus. The patient, already undergoing dialysis, had been hospitalized since July 26 and died in the intensive care unit. This is the seventh confirmed death from the virus in Lazio.