Concerns are escalating over West Nile virus (WNV) infection after an 82-year-old woman died of the disease in Italy’s Lazio region. The virus, transmitted by common Culex mosquitoes and not spread person-to-person, has prompted regional authorities to activate an emergency operations center implementing preventative measures. While the Health Ministry confirms continuous monitoring and states the epidemiological trend aligns with previous years—citing 460 cases and 20 deaths nationwide in 2024—local cases are rising.
The deceased woman, a resident of Nerola near Rome, passed away at San Giovanni di Dio Hospital in Fondi, Latina province. Admitted on July 14 with fever and clinical confusion, she had no underlying health conditions. Six additional confirmed WNV cases are currently reported in Lazio. Two men, aged 63 and 72, remain in critical condition with neurological symptoms and pre-existing health issues at Santa Maria Goretti Hospital in Latina. Four other patients show clinical improvement. While all cases occurred within Latina province, authorities state they are currently unlinked. Equines are also at risk; one horse in the province has reportedly died.
Lazio has intensified surveillance, alerting family doctors, pediatricians, emergency departments, and veterinarians. Targeted mosquito larvicide treatments are underway within 200 meters of suspected viral activity zones. Enhanced serological surveillance in surrounding livestock farms is also planned. Municipalities have initiated additional environmental cleanup. Medical professionals across Lazio are urged to prioritize diagnosing WNV neuroinvasive cases.
Most WNV infections are asymptomatic, but approximately 1% develop severe illness. No specific vaccines or treatments exist. The Health Ministry advises preventative measures: using repellents, installing window screens, and eliminating stagnant water sources. Latest Istituto Superiore di Sanità data (to July 16, 2025) records five human cases nationally, four neuroinvasive (Piedmont:1, Emilia-Romagna:1, Lazio:2). Veterinary surveillance confirms virus circulation in Veneto, Piedmont, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and now Lazio—spanning 15 provinces across these six regions.
“Infectious disease specialist Massimo Andreoni told ANSA, “The situation requires close monitoring. The emergence of cases in Lazio is concerning, demonstrating further disease spread. WNV is now endemic in several Italian regions, transmitted by native Culex mosquitoes.” He emphasized, “This infection is expanding due to increasingly tropicalized climates favoring mosquito proliferation, making improved physician diagnosis critical.” Andreoni noted WNV can affect all ages but causes severe neuroinvasive disease primarily in the elderly and immunocompromised. He concluded, “Without vaccines or therapies, adopting every possible measure to prevent mosquito breeding and bites is essential.”
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