Italy is grappling with a growing outbreak of West Nile virus, with nine deaths confirmed so far, five of them in the Campania region alone. The latest victim is a 76-year-old man from Salerno, a resident of a nursing home in Grazzanise. Another victim, a 73-year-old man from Maddaloni, died this morning in a hospital in Caserta.
Two new cases of infection have also been registered in Lombardy, namely a 38-year-old woman in Milan and a 66-year-old woman in Pavia, the latter hospitalized. The region has activated an integrated surveillance system with local authorities and health institutions.
Faced with the situation, the president of the Lazio Region, Francesco Rocca, has signed an urgent decree for systematic disinfection and vector control (mosquitoes), making one million euros available to municipalities.
Experts point out that mosquitoes are the main vectors of the virus and the risk is greatest for the elderly and people with health problems. Veterinarians also warn of the possible transmission of the virus from female mosquitoes to their eggs and larvae, adding to the need for land rehabilitation and control of wild birds, as natural reservoirs of the virus.
Meanwhile, Fiaso (Italian Federation of Healthcare and Hospital Authorities) has activated a network of sentinel hospitals for early and coordinated monitoring of cases. Its president, Giovanni Migliore, stresses the importance of a rapid response and the use of existing infrastructure, as during the COVID-19 pandemic. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
