West Nile: First death in Veneto in summer 2024

The West Nile virus has been responsible for the first death of the summer of 2024 in Veneto. The 86-year-old victim marks the second fatal case in Italy. He had been hospitalised for several days following the onset of a severe form of encephalitis that did not respond to antibiotic therapy. While extremely rare, meningoencephalitis can result in life-threatening complications, particularly in the very elderly or those with underlying health conditions, as elucidated by Luca Sbrogiò, director of the Department of Prevention of the Ulss 6 Euganea. Two other males, both born in Padua, have tested positive for the West Nile virus and are currently receiving hospital treatment.