West Nile Virus Outbreak Claims 18 Lives Across Italy

Rome: The number of victims of outbreaks of West Nile Virus in Lazio, Campania, and Piedmont has risen to 18 after an 83-year-old man died in Caserta on Monday. This marks the eighth victim in the region around Naples. Additionally, two men aged 80 and 85 died in Latina, bringing the death toll to eight and nine in the area around Rome, respectively.

According to Ansa News Agency, there has also been a death linked to the virus in the northern region around Turin, bringing the overall toll to 18. All the victims were in hospitals’ intensive care units and had pre-existing conditions. The health ministry has stated that the situation is under control and there is no need for alarm. While areas of Italy previously unaffected by the virus have been hit, the contagion and fatality figures are consistent with those of recent years.