The death toll from the West Nile virus in Italy since the beginning of the year rose to ten after a 93-year-old woman died at the Spallanzani Institute in Rome.
It was the fourth cased verified in the Lazio region. The patient, originally from Cisterna di Latina, had been admitted to San Paulo in Velletri before being transferred to Rome.
Three other deaths from the virus were reported last Wednesday. This includes a 76-year-old man from Salerona, a 73-year-old man from Maddaloni and an 86-year-old who was admitted to the Santa Maria Goretti hospital in Latina. He was among the first infected in the area and reportedly suffered with several previous diseases.
In its latest report on Thursday, the Italian National Institute of Health reported the following data.
It said 57 new human cases of West Nile virus were reported between the 24th and 30th of July. Among the confirmed cased, eight deaths were reported. The lethality rate of the neuro-invasive form of the virus is 20% in 2025 compared to 14% in 2024 and 20% in 2018.
Data on West Nile fever in Europe
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control released the latest data on infections in Europe on Thursday.
Cases were registered in Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and France.
25 cases of locally acquired West Nile virus infection were reported for the first time in the 2025 transmission season in one region each in Bulgaria and France.
Compared to the previous week, Greece reported cases of West Nile virus infection in three new regions, Italy in seven new regions and Romania in one new region.
The highest number of cases (43) was reported in the province of Latina, Italy.
What is West Nile fever and how to prevent it
West Nile fever causes high fever and rashes. It is a globally widespread viral diseased caused by the West Nile virus.
The main hosts of the virus are usually wild birds. Transmission to humans occurs mainly through mosquito bites. In rare cases, it can occur through transplants, transfusion or from mother to foetus.
It is not transmitted from person to person through physical contact. Other mammals such as horses and, to a lesser extent, dogs and cats, can also be infected.
The incubation period lasts from two to 14 days. Most infected people do not show any symptoms. About 20% develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and skin rashes, which usually disappear on their own within a few days.
In less than 1% of cases, symptoms can be severe. This includes high fever, disorientation, tremors and, in the most serious cases, paralysis and coma. Diagnosis is made by laboratory tests that look for antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile fever. Treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms, and in severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary.
Prevention is the only effective strategy and is based on reducing exposure to mosquito bites. It is advised to use insect repellents, wear protective clothing, install mosquito nets and remove still water from containers to prevent mosquito breeding.
