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West Nile virus cases rise in Italy with 312 infections and 13 deaths
Italy is experiencing a rise in West Nile virus infections, with 312 confirmed human cases reported from the beginning of the year through August 19, 2026. According to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), these cases include 156 neuro-invasive forms, 40 asymptomatic cases identified in blood donors, and 115 cases presenting with fever. There have been 13 recorded deaths associated with the virus during this period.
The virus is circulating across 16 regions and 60 provinces. Recent specific outbreaks and cases have been noted in several areas: in Veneto, an 84-year-old man has died; in Abruzzo, an 85-year-old man was hospitalized, marking the region's first case of 2026; and in Chieti, a 75-year-old woman was hospitalized with neurological symptoms. In the Lazio region, 49 cases have been confirmed, primarily concentrated in Latina and the Rome metropolitan area. Additionally, a human case and a positive equine case were reported in Fonte Nuova.
Health authorities have implemented various prevention measures, including mosquito control operations, larvicidal treatments in public and private areas, and public awareness campaigns to reduce mosquito bites.
Entities
ASL Roma 5 · ASL Teramo · Abruzzo · Antonella D’Alonzo · Asl di Teramo · Istituto Superiore di Sanità · Italy · Lazio · Maurizio Belfiglio · Mazzini Hospital · Teramo Hospital · Veneto
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Italy has recorded 312 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in humans from the beginning of the year until August 19, 2026. www.zerounotv.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.italpress.com · www.periodicodaily.com · +1 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] An 84-year-old man has died in Veneto from West Nile virus infection. reteveneta.medianordest.it
- [● 6 SOURCES] The lethality rate for neuro-invasive forms is 7.7%. www.zerounotv.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.italpress.com · www.periodicodaily.com · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] A horse in Tivoli tested positive for the West Nile virus. dentromagazine.com · canaledieci.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] An 85-year-old man in Teramo has been hospitalized with the first confirmed human case of West Nile in the Abruzzo region for 2026. notiziedi.it · www.aslteramo.it · www.terremarsicane.it · www.vetrinatv.it · news-town.it · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] A third human case of West Nile has been confirmed in the municipality of Guidonia Montecelio, near Rome. dentromagazine.com · canaledieci.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 75-year-old woman has been hospitalized in Chieti with the first confirmed West Nile case in the Chieti province. www.giulianova.it · www.notiziedabruzzo.it
- [● 6 SOURCES] There have been 13 deaths reported among the confirmed cases in Italy during this period. www.zerounotv.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.italpress.com · www.periodicodaily.com · +1 more