West Nile Fever Deaths Jump to 41 in Italy in One Week

The number of deaths from West Nile Fever in Italy jumped from 26 to 41 in just one week, according to data released by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS). The increase accompanies a rise in the number of confirmed cases in the country, which now totals 594 records across 19 Italian regions, reigniting health alerts during the peak summer season in the Northern Hemisphere.

Outbreak Numbers

According to the ISS's latest bulletin, the jump in deaths—from 26 to 41 in seven days—represents one of the fastest advances in the outbreak since epidemiological surveillance began monitoring the disease more rigorously in Italy. Confirmed cases also grew significantly: 73 new cases were reported compared to the previous week, bringing the total to 594 identified infections so far.

The virus, transmitted primarily by mosquitoes, already circulates in 79 provinces spread across 19 regions of Italian territory, a geographic spread that concerns public health authorities. The extent of the outbreak reinforces that this is no longer a localized phenomenon, but a viral circulation disseminated across much of the country, from north to south.

Those who follow News from Italy have seen the topic gain prominence in the ISS's weekly bulletins, which periodically update infection and death numbers related to the disease.

Severity of Cases

Of the total confirmed infections, 306 cases progressed to the neuroinvasive form of the disease—the most severe manifestation of West Nile Fever, which can affect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis, meningitis, and other serious neurological complications.

The fatality rate among neuroinvasive cases also rose, increasing from 9.4% to 13.3% in the weekly comparison, according to ISS. Despite the increase, the institute notes that the current rate is still below that recorded during the same period of the 2025 outbreak, suggesting that while the situation is concerning, it has not yet surpassed last year's severity.

The bulletin also identified five imported cases, meaning people who contracted the virus outside Italy and were diagnosed after returning to the country. Cases originated from trips to the Maldives, France, Belgium, Greece, and the Netherlands, indicating that the virus's circulation is not exclusive to Italy, but a phenomenon also affecting other destinations frequented by tourists.

Transmission and Risk Groups

West Nile Fever is transmitted primarily by bites from mosquitoes of the Culex genus, which become infected when biting virus-carrying birds and then transmit the disease to humans and other animals. There is no record of person-to-person transmission through common contact, making vector control—the mosquito—the primary containment strategy.

According to Italian health authorities, most infections are asymptomatic or cause mild symptoms similar to the flu, including fever, body aches, and fatigue. However, a specific population group faces a higher risk of developing the severe form of the disease:

• Elderly individuals, especially over 60 years old;
• Immunocompromised people, including transplant recipients and cancer patients undergoing treatment;
• Those with comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

It is precisely within this group that the majority of neuroinvasive cases and deaths recorded by ISS in recent weeks are concentrated.

How to Protect Yourself and Why It Matters to Brazilians

Given the outbreak's advance, Italian health authorities reinforce simple yet effective prevention recommendations:

• Use of repellents containing DEET or icaridin, mainly at dusk and dawn, when Culex mosquitoes are most active;
• Installation of screens on windows and doors to prevent insects from entering homes;
• Elimination of standing water in pots, gutters, tires, and containers that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes;
• Wearing long clothing in areas with higher case incidence, especially in rural zones and near water courses.

The topic gains direct relevance for Brazilians descended from Italians who travel to the country to visit relatives, handle Italian Citizenship matters, or simply explore their ancestors' homeland. Many Italian families with roots in Brazil live in rural areas of northern and central Italy, precisely the regions where virus circulation has been most intense in this outbreak.

Travelers planning extended stays in Italy, especially in agricultural zones or near rivers and lakes, should take extra precautions with repellents and clothing, and watch for symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, and neck stiffness—signs that may indicate a neurological condition requiring immediate medical attention. Those already living in the country or planning to relocate can find more practical guidance about daily Italian life in the Life in Italy section of the portal.

The ISS is expected to continue releasing weekly bulletins on the outbreak's evolution, with the expectation that the number of cases and deaths will continue to be closely monitored through the end of peak mosquito activity season, typically associated with the warmest months of the year in Europe.

Source: Comunità Italiana