Emilia-Romagna reports early, extensive West Nile virus activity across six provinces

Regional health authorities in Emilia‑Romagna announced that West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in six of the region’s nine provinces, an area and timing that officials describe as unprecedented since surveillance began in 2008. The entomological monitoring, part of the regional arbovirus plan, identified positive Culex (common) mosquito pools already in mid‑June, prompting the health department to raise the alert level to 2 of 3.

No human infections have been confirmed yet, but officials warned that the early and wide spread raises the likelihood of cases in the coming weeks, especially among older or immunocompromised individuals, as about 1 % of infections can develop into a serious neuro‑invasive disease. The region’s surveillance system, praised by health policy assessor Massimo Fabi, continues to track both mosquito vectors and potential human cases. Preventive advice to residents includes eliminating standing water, using repellents, wearing long‑sleeved clothing at dusk and installing window screens. In 2024 the region recorded 46 human cases, and one death was reported in 2025 in Modena province.