Egyptian fever sweeps through Turin: An 80-year-old patient hospitalized in Moncalieri marks the initial case of 2025 in the city
In a significant development for public health in Italy, the first autochthonous case of West Nile virus (WNV) was reported in the region of Piedmont in 2025. The diagnosis was made at the Amedeo di Savoia Hospital in Turin, where an 80-year-old patient was admitted to the Neurology department.
The West Nile virus, an arbovirus of the Flaviviridae family, Flavivirus genus, has an endemic-epidemic course and is known to cause a disease called "Nile Fever." The symptoms of WNV infection vary from none to severe, with about 1 in 5 infected people developing mild symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, or rash. Severe cases can result in neurological illnesses like encephalitis or meningitis, which may cause long-term neurological damage or death. Older adults and individuals with certain health conditions are at higher risk for severe symptoms.
In 2024, the Regional Epidemiology Service reported a total of 21 cases of West Nile, with 19 confirmed and 2 probable. All the cases were autochthonous, meaning infected within Piedmont. The diagnoses were made during the period of peak vector activity (June-November). Four provinces in Piedmont were affected by West Nile in 2024: Alessandria, Asti, Cuneo, and Turin. The first case of West Nile virus positivity among insects was reported on July 4, 2024.
The tropicalization of climate, with warming trends that allow tropical or subtropical diseases to spread further north, has facilitated WNV establishment in European latitudes by expanding mosquito habitats and active seasons. This heightens public health challenges in temperate regions, emphasizing the need for prevention programs adapted to local environments.
Since there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for WNV in humans, prevention focuses on avoiding mosquito bites. This includes using insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, treating clothing with permethrin insecticide if possible, eliminating mosquito breeding sites by draining standing or stagnant water, and keeping windows and doors screened and repairing any damage to prevent mosquito entry indoors.
In the event of a WNV infection, management is supportive, with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers easing mild symptoms. Severe cases may require hospitalization for supportive care such as intravenous fluids, pain control, and nursing care. Intensive rehabilitation might improve recovery from neurological damage in severe cases.
European health authorities similarly stress mosquito control, personal protection, and surveillance to manage WNV risk due to climate changes enabling the virus's spread. As the first autochthonous case of West Nile virus in Piedmont underscores, it is crucial for individuals to take preventive measures to protect themselves from the virus and for public health authorities to maintain vigilance in monitoring and controlling the spread of the disease.
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