Rome, Italy – Health officials have warned of an expanding outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) across Italy as unusually warm summer weather creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. The Italian Ministry of Health reported 312 confirmed cases and five fatalities in the Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia‑Romagna regions since June, a sharp increase from the same period last year. Vector control teams are intensifying larvicide treatments and public awareness campaigns urging residents to eliminate standing water and use repellents. Epidemiologists attribute the surge to a combination of higher average temperatures, delayed autumn, and increased bird migration patterns that amplify virus circulation.
On top of everything as it happens