ROMA (ITALPRESS) – From the beginning of the year to August 19, 312 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection were reported in Italy (226 in the previous report), of which 156 were manifested in the neuro-invasive form (1 case imported from the Maldives), 40 asymptomatic cases identified in blood donors, 115 cases of Faso fever (1 case imported from Burkina Faso). 13 deaths were notified between confirmed cases (1 death in an imported case).
In the same period 9 cases of Usutu virus were reported (5 Lombardy, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 1 Marche, 1 Lazio, 1 Piemonte). This is said by the Iss surveillance bulletin, published today in conjunction with the World Mosquito Day. Last year in the same period were 351 cases reported with 22 deaths.
Lethalness, calculated on neuro-invasive forms so far reported and confirmed, is 7.7% (13.9% in 2025). Salgono a 60 le Provinces with demonstrated circulation of the WNV belonging to 16 Regions: Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia. At the same time last year were 52 in 15 regions.
“Despite the number of cases is lower than last year, as well as lethality, the virus now circulates stably throughout almost all of the national territory, as evidenced also the cases reported in blood donors – emphasize the arbovirosis experts of the ISS Infective Disease Department –. This confirms the need for careful monitoring and monitoring and early diagnosis of cases, even to continue to ensure the safety of transfusions and transplants.”.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
