Confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Italy have reached 171, after 72 new infections were recorded in the last seven days of monitoring—from August 15 to 21. The death toll has risen to six (four in the previous survey).
These are the main data from the integrated surveillance bulletin for West Nile and Usutu viruses, released today by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità.
Of the total cases, 101 patients developed the more serious neuro-invasive form of the disease (63 of these are concentrated in Emilia Romagna and 23 in Veneto); 21 are asymptomatic cases identified in blood donors and 49 are cases of fever (33 concentrated in Veneto, 12 Emilia-Romagna).
Most neuroinvasive forms are concentrated in the age group over 75 years (58 cases), while 18 cases were recorded respectively among the 45-64 and 65-74 age groups, to which 4 cases were added in the 15-44 age group. The deaths were recorded in Piedmont (1), Veneto (2), Fiuli-Venezia Giulia (1), Emilia Romagna (2).
The first autochthonous human case of the season was reported from Emilia Romagna on June 26 in the province of Modena. In the same period, a case of Usutu virus was also reported in the province of Modena.
Veterinary surveillance carried out on horses, mosquitoes, sedentary and wild birds has confirmed the circulation of the West Nile virus in Abruzzo, Campania, Tuscany, Puglia, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Lombardy, reports the ISS.
Molecular analyses have confirmed the circulation of Wnv Lineage 1 and 2. As for the geographical distribution, "positivity is being confirmed in the provinces of Gorizia, Como and Alessandria - the bulletin reads - The number of provinces with demonstrated circulation of the virus has risen to 35, belonging to 11 Regions (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Campania, Puglia, Calabria and Sardinia).
