Italy remains on high alert as West Nile virus infections surge, with the death toll climbing to nine this year following two new fatalities reported in a single day. The latest victims—a 73-year-old man hospitalized in Caserta and a 76-year-old resident of a Grazzanise healthcare facility—bring Campania’s regional deaths to four and mark a nationwide escalation.
Confirmed infections, concentrated in Lazio and Campania, have spiked dramatically beyond last week’s official tally of 31 cases. Two new infections emerged in Lombardy (a 38-year-old in Milan and a hospitalized 66-year-old in Pavia), while Campania reported two additional cases—one critical—and L’Aquila investigates a suspected infection. Health experts estimate at least 10,000 actual infections nationally, predominantly asymptomatic, warning that severe neuro-invasive cases and deaths will inevitably rise with further spread.
Health authorities project a peak after mid-August but emphasize the virus’s unpredictability, transmitted through common Culex mosquitoes. Blood donations continue in affected regions like Emilia-Romagna with mandatory testing of donations, while donors elsewhere must defer for 28 days if exposed to risk areas without screening.
Officials urge public calm, with Campania’s Governor Vincenzo De Luca stating the situation is “under control” despite criticizing Health Ministry leadership. Lombardy’s welfare director echoed assurances but infectious disease specialist Federico Gobbi cautioned that surveillance is critical: “This virus is unpredictable in both its targets and trajectory.” Statistician Antonello Maruotti forecasts cases will peak in late August before declining rapidly.
In response, Italy’s hospital federation (FIASO) activated a nationwide sentinel surveillance network, leveraging lessons from COVID-19 to coordinate early detection with regional health authorities.