West Nile: 32 confirmed cases, how the infection map is changing

Since the beginning of the year on 23 July, there have been 32 confirmed cases of West Nile virus infection in humans in Italy. Twenty-one of the 32 cases were reported by the Lazio Region, all in the province of Latina epicentre of an initial outbreak. It is the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Higher Institute of Health) that has updated the growing number of cases, pointing out that of the 32 cases, 23 manifested themselves in the neuro-invasive form (2 Piedmont, 2 Veneto, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 15 Lazio, 3 Campania), 1 asymptomatic case identified in a blood donor (1 Veneto) and 6 cases of fever (2 Veneto, 4 Lazio). Among the confirmed cases, 2 deaths were reported (one in Piedmont and one in Lazio).

"From a numerical point of view," explains the Iss, "the epidemiological trend at the moment is in line with that of previous years, while the spatial distribution appears quite different. "All measures are in place," emphasises Anna Teresa Palamara, who heads the Iss's Infectious Diseases department, "including those to protect transplants and transfusions. We must remember that 80% of cases of West Nile infection are asymptomatic, while the risk of serious consequences is greater for the most fragile people".

The disease is not transmitted from person to person. "The advice," Palamara continues, "is therefore to protect yourself as much as possible from contact with mosquitoes, the vectors of the virus, and to contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as fever above 38°C, especially if accompanied by a rash. For doctors, the indication is to consider the possibility of West Nile infection in the presence of compatible symptoms and proceed to laboratory diagnosis'.

In Lazio, with twelve new cases of West Nile detected, there are 20 people who have contracted the virus, 21 counting the deceased woman, all in Latina and its province. "We are in daily contact with the ASL," says the first citizen Matilde Celentano, "and the administration is moving promptly according to the infectious developments. I have convened the Conference of Mayors on Health with the subject 'Communications on the prevention of the West Nile virus', which will take place on Tuesday 29 July. It will be an opportunity to discuss with the other first citizens and to coordinate the actions to be carried out in the territories'.

From Campania comes the appeal by the coordinator of the Regional Transplant Centre, Pierino Di Silverio, to avoid alarmism. 'Understandably,' he emphasises, 'we are receiving many requests for information from the families of patients who have recently undergone transplants and from those waiting for an organ. It must be made clear that West Nile will in no way compromise transplant activity, nor will it put patients at risk'. For Di Silverio, all necessary measures to protect patients have been activated and 'we are in constant contact with the health authorities. It is right to keep our guard up, but it is essential that there is no psychosis'.