Veneto records first human West Nile case, intensifies mosquito control
The Veneto region confirmed its first human West Nile virus infection of the season on 22 June 2026 in Villa Bartolomea, Verona. Health authorities activated the Regional Prevention, Surveillance and Response Plan for arboviruses, deploying the ULSS 9 Scaligera to conduct intensified monitoring, larviciding and public awareness campaigns.
In the nearby town of Cervia, municipal officials partnered with Azimut S.p.A. to set up a free‑larvicide information point at the weekly market, offering residents larvicidal products for domestic sites such as drains and fountains and advice on combating the tiger mosquito. The National Blood Centre and National Transplant Centre updated 2026 safety protocols, adding targeted testing and temporary deferrals where West Nile activity is detected.
Entomological surveys also noted the spread of the Korean mosquito Aedes koreicus in Lombardy’s Monza area, raising concerns about additional arboviral risks. Authorities advise citizens to eliminate standing water, use repellents containing DEET or Icaridin, and install window screens to reduce mosquito bites.