Italy reports over 650 West Nile virus cases amid European spread

Italy has become a major epicenter for the West Nile virus in Europe, reporting over 650 confirmed cases this season. This figure accounts for approximately half of all reported infections across the continent. Health authorities note that the virus is spreading to new regions and persisting longer into the autumn months.

Experts, including researchers from the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), attribute this expansion to rising temperatures and longer warm seasons caused by climate change. These conditions facilitate faster mosquito reproduction and extend the window for virus transmission. While roughly 80 percent of infected individuals remain asymptomatic, others may experience mild flu-like symptoms, with a small minority developing severe neurological complications.

European health agencies are on high alert as the virus's geographical footprint expands. Beyond Italy, significant case numbers have been reported in Greece, Spain, Romania, and North Macedonia, with unusual activity also noted in the Netherlands. In response, Belgian researchers are studying Italy’s integrated surveillance systems—which monitor humans, animals, and mosquitoes—to help develop preparedness plans for other European nations.