In Italy, from February through July 28, 84 cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in humans have been confirmed in Italy, with two deaths.
Of the 84 cases, 37 were neuroinvasive (1 case imported from the Maldives, while for one case the province of probable exposure is unknown), 19 were asymptomatic cases identified in blood donors (1 case for which the province of probable exposure is unknown), 27 cases of fever and 1 symptomatic case. Among the confirmed cases, 2 deaths have been reported (1 death in an imported case).
There are 47 provinces with demonstrated WNV circulation belonging to 12 regions: Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Sicily and Sardinia. From a numerical point of view, the epidemiological trend is currently in line with that of the previous year (in the same period in 2025, there were 89 confirmed cases in Italy, 40 of which were neuroinvasive).
West Nile virus has been circulating in Italy for several years now, emphasize arbovirus experts at the ISS Department of Infectious Diseases. Despite the current limitations in data transmission, all public health protection measures are in place, including those for the safety of transplants and transfusions.
It should be remembered that 80% of West Nile virus cases are asymptomatic, while the risk of serious consequences is greater for the most vulnerable. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. Therefore, the advice is to protect yourself as much as possible from contact with mosquitoes, which carry the virus, and to contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as a fever above 38°C, especially if accompanied by a rash.
Doctors are advised to consider the possibility of West Nile virus infection in the presence of compatible symptoms and proceed with laboratory diagnosis.