In Italy, 89 cases of West Nile virus have more than doubled in seven days.

Confirmed cases of West Nile virus reported to the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) have more than doubled in seven days, rising from 32 to 89. The latest ISS surveillance bulletin for 2025, published today, brings the total number of victims to eight, but one additional death occurred yesterday in the Caserta area and has not yet been reported to the ISS.

The situation does not indicate any alarm signals, infectious disease specialists and the ISS emphasize, but the public is urged to adopt all preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites, which carry the virus, and to contact their doctor if they have a fever above 38 degrees Celsius. Of the cases confirmed as of July 30, the ISS explains, 40 were neuroinvasive (2 Piedmont, 1 Lombardy, 3 Veneto, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 23 Lazio, 10 Campania), 2 asymptomatic cases were identified in blood donors (1 Veneto, 1 Campania), 46 cases of fever (1 Lombardy, 5 Veneto, 35 Lazio, 4 Campania, 1 Sardinia), and 1 asymptomatic case (1 Campania). Eight deaths have been reported to date (1 Piedmont, 2 Lazio, 5 Campania). The number of provinces with proven virus circulation within 10 regions has risen to 31: Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Abruzzo, Campania, Puglia, and Sardinia. Meanwhile, several reports from the regions have been received today: a 54-year-old man from Monselice is hospitalized in serious condition at Padua hospital, while a first case of West Nile virus infection has been confirmed in the province of Lecce.

The patient is a 46-year-old regular blood donor. He underwent mandatory testing and tested positive for the virus. The Local Health Authority (ASL) has announced that the donation was therefore not made and the patient, who is asymptomatic, is doing well and has returned home. The Lazio Region also announced that, in the last 24 hours, three people have contracted the virus: one has symptoms with a fever, while two have developed neurological symptoms. Two of the new cases were recorded in Cisterna di Latina and one in Sabaudia. A first confirmed case has also been recorded in the province of Foggia, involving a horse. The situation, experts reassure, is currently under control: "We are not currently in a state of alarm for West Nile," explains Anna Teresa Palamara, director of the ISS's infectious diseases department. "We must remember that the infection is not transmitted from person to person but only through mosquito bites. Therefore, it is important for the public to use all preventive measures, from those to prevent mosquito breeding to personal measures to protect themselves from bites. Remember to contact your doctor if you have a fever above 38°C (100.4°F) to obtain a diagnosis." Furthermore, she emphasizes, "all measures are in place, including those to protect transplants and transfusions." However, the West Nile cases that have emerged in recent weeks "could be just the tip of the iceberg," warns the Italian Society of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (SIMEVEP), and doctors are promoting training courses to enable the rapid identification of infections.

The Latina Local Health Authority (ASL) organized a course yesterday attended by a thousand healthcare workers, including local health authorities, general practitioners, and pediatricians. The Italian Federation of General Practitioners (FIMMG), through the Scientific Society of General Practitioners (METIS), has created an informative infographic that will be sent to family doctors, providing all the key information on West Nile fever in a simple and clear manner. However, Maria Elena Boschi, President of the Italia Viva parliamentary group, is critical of the measures adopted. Given the current case and death figures, she states, "we cannot simply record the emergency: we need a rapid, coordinated, and effective response from the government." She has submitted a question to the Minister of Health on this issue.