West Nile virus in Italy

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports the first human case of West Nile fever of the 2023 transmission season in Europe. Italian health authorities reported this case on 13 July 2023 in the province of Parma.

West Nile fever is caused by West Nile virus (WNV). The virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness, sometimes leading to severe or life-threatening disease.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers should be advised to:

• practice mosquito bite avoidance measures at all times, especially at dusk and dawn during peak transmission times and when outbreaks are known to be occurring
• seek medical advice if they develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with fever following travel to a risk area

There is no vaccine against West Nile virus.

Note for blood donors: those who have recently travelled to an area with WNV transmission may need to be tested for WNV before donating blood.

• see the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website for further details

For further information see TRAVAX West Nile Fever page.