Italy Reports 657 West Nile Cases, Wider Spread
Italy's ISS reported on 17 September 657 confirmed human West Nile infections and 51 deaths in the 2026 season through 15 September, spanning 345 neuro-invasive cases, 224 fevers and 80 asymptomatic blood-donor infections. Circulation reached 82 provinces in 19 regions. Antonino Bella said higher temperatures linked to climate change help mosquitoes reproduce and extend the transmission season, potentially into November. CONTESTED: ISS listed 657 Italian cases; ECDC's tally through 17 September put Italy at 652 of 1,482 locally acquired European infections, with 355 in Greece and 114 in Spain. ECDC recorded nine first-time locally acquired Belgian cases across four areas after zero human cases in its 9 September assessment. The Netherlands reported new infections and deaths, with no figures in the record. Justine Delbecque visited ISS in Rome from 25 to 29 May 2026 and gained what she called a comprehensive overview of how the National Plan for prevention, surveillance and response to arbovirus (PNA) has been created and is implemented within the Italian context. Authorities say it is essential to keep vigilance.