Italy's West Nile Virus Fatalities Increase

Since the beginning of 2025, ten countries in Europe have reported human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection: Albania, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Spain, and Türkiye. 

In Italy, where WNV has become endemic along its west coast (Campania region) and northern area, over 500 locally acquired cases have been reported this year, with the Lazio region  (Latina, Roma, and Frosinone) being the most affected.

As of September 12, 2025, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported a total of 32 WNV-related deaths have been confirmed in Italy since the beginning of 2025. This ECDC data reflects a case fatality rate of 6.4%.

The ECDC wrote, 'Owing to delays in diagnosis and reporting, as well as the fact that most of the WNV infections are asymptomatic or subclinical, the case numbers provided in this report likely underestimate the true number of cases.'

More information on the occurrence of WNV infection among humans in Europe is available in the joint monthly report produced by ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority.

As of September 13, 2025, the U.S. CDC states vaccines are unavailable for WNV prevention in 2025.

The CDC does recommend various routine and travel vaccines before visiting Italy this year.