West Nile virus cases in Lazio, Piedmont, Emilia, and Veneto: "The virus is circulating."

Since the beginning of the year, 83 cases of dengue and 51 cases of chikungunya have been reported to the surveillance system in Italy, with one autochthonous case for both infections . Regarding West Nile virus, there have been 5 confirmed cases of infection in humans . The numbers are contained in the dashboard update, which for dengue and chikungunya will become weekly starting today, and in the first West Nile bulletin, published today. Specifically, from January 1 to July 15, 2025, the national surveillance system has recorded 83 confirmed cases of dengue: 82 cases associated with travel abroad and 1 autochthonous case, median age 42 years, 53% male, no deaths. There have been 51 confirmed cases of chikungunya: 50 cases associated with travel abroad and 1 autochthonous case, median age 47 years, 53% male, no deaths.

West Nile Virus in Italy - What is it? (Ministry of Health)

In Lazio , the first 2 autochthonous cases of West Nile virus infection were recorded in the province of Latina , Both were detected by the Spallanzani Institute in Rome , and two other cases—both in the same geographic area—are being investigated. The Region, committed to surveillance and monitoring the outbreak, reminds us of the key elements of infection, symptoms, and prevention. Here's what you need to know based on the

West Nile Virus in Italy - Symptoms (Ministry of Health)

West Nile Virus in Italy - Recommendations (Ministry of Health)

It is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes , particularly those of the Culex pipiens genus , which primarily affects wild birds. Mosquitoes become infected by biting birds and sometimes transmit the virus to accidental hosts such as horses and humans. The mosquito that transmits West Nile virus is not the tiger mosquito, but rather our nocturnal common mosquito, which bites from dusk to dawn. Other possible transmission routes include blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected donors, and even more rarely, congenital infections transmitted from mother to fetus through human milk have been reported.

Most infected people show no symptoms . Of those who do show symptoms, approximately 20% experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes. These symptoms can last a few days, or in rare cases, a few weeks, and can vary greatly depending on the person's age. A mild fever is more common in children, while in young people, symptoms include moderately high fever, red eyes, headache, and muscle aches. In the elderly and debilitated, however, symptoms can be more severe. More severe symptoms occur in an average of less than 1% of infected people (1 in 150) and include high fever, severe headache, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, vision problems, numbness, convulsions, and even paralysis and coma. Some neurological effects may be permanent.