West Nile in Italy, 13 dead

As indicated in the Bulletin of Integrated Surveillance on West Nile and Usutu Virus, published on Friday, 13 September 2024, by the Italian Institute of Health (ISS), the incidence of West Nile fever in Italy is increasing. The research indicates that the virus is circulating in forty-three Italian provinces, spanning eleven regions. 35 new cases were reported between 5 and 11 September 2024, bringing the total number of cases since surveillance began in May to 331. Of these, 191 have manifested in the most severe neuroinvasive form. There also have been 13 deaths, two more than in the previous issue. Health authorities are encouraging the public to adopt preventive measures against virus transmission, including the use of repellents and mosquito nets, and to report symptoms associated with the virus, such as high fever, headaches, and muscle weakness.