Italy logs over 650 West Nile cases as warming lengthens mosquito season
Rising temperatures are expanding the geographic range and calendar length of West Nile virus transmission across Italy and into northern Europe.
What to know
- More than 650 West Nile infections have been reported in Italy this year, roughly half of all cases recorded in Europe.
- Researchers link rising temperatures to a longer mosquito transmission season that can now extend as late as November.
- The Netherlands reported its first West Nile cases since 2020 this year, including several deaths, signaling northward spread.
- About 80% of infections are asymptomatic, but severe neurological complications can occur, mainly in older adults and those with underlying conditions.
“You've got to be careful not to say that climate change is all of it, but certainly a warming climate means that we have a longer mosquito season, so that the vectors can survive for longer. Warm temperatures also mean that the virus itself will survive better”
Marc-Alain Widdowson, WHO Europe official · Philadelphia Inquirer (AP) ↗ · Sep 18
Antonino Bella Researcher, Italy's National Institute of Health (ISS)Marc-Alain Widdowson Head, Pandemic Threats, Communicable Diseases, and AMR Division, WHO EuropeItaly's National Institute of Health (ISS) National health surveillance bodyEuropean Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) EU public health agency
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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AP reports Italy's West Nile spread tied to warming climate
Italian health authorities report more than 650 infections so far this year, roughly half of all European cases, and describe evidence that rising temperatures are widening the geographic and seasonal spread of the virus.
“Higher temperatures linked to climate change help mosquitoes reproduce and extend the transmission season, increasing the chances that infected mosquitoes will spread the virus to people…”
— Antonino Bella -
first by npr.org, 5d ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, AP News, Toronto Star, NPR, Buffalo Toronto Public Media
1 more headline
- Italy sees mosquitos spread the West Nile virus farther and longer as Europe warms Philadelphia Inquirer · 4d ago
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Italian health authorities see evidence that rising temperatures and longer warm seasons are helping mosquitoes spread West Nile virus across a wider area, during more months of the year.
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# health # Italy As Europe warms, Italy sees West Nile virus spread farther and longer ROME (AP) — Italian health authorities see evidence that rising temperatures and longer warm seasons are helping mosquitoes spread West Nile virus across a wider area, during more months of the year https://www. wral.com/news/ap/88055-as-euro…
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🦟🦠 #Italy has reported more than 650 #WestNileVirus #infections this year as warmer temperatures and longer #mosquito seasons help the #virus spread farther and for longer periods. #Virology #PublicHealth #Climate #Microsky via @apnews.com
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ECDC warns Europe's warming trend favors invasive mosquitoes — The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said heat waves, flooding, and longer, warmer summers are creating more favorable conditions for species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.
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Belgian researchers visit Italy's health institute to study surveillance — A Belgian research team visited the ISS in May to study Italy's research and surveillance system after Belgium began recording locally acquired West Nile cases.
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Netherlands reports first West Nile cases since 2020 — The Netherlands has reported more than two dozen West Nile cases this year, along with several deaths, according to its public health institute.
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West Nile virus becomes endemic in Italy — Cases began to surge in 2020, after which the virus has been reported every summer and early fall in Italy.
What people are saying 2 voices from 1 site · best of 5 · verbatim
- Sep 19
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From AP: As Europe warms, Italy sees West Nile virus spread farther and longer https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=QgP0uGv5wI c&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon * VSN-GDPM c1996 # news # SupportIndependentMedia # vsn
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West Nile virus is spreading across Europe; more than 650 cases have been recorded in Italy https://www. byteseu.com/2379172/ # Italy
