THEN Province of Latina The heat of July is felt more than usual. Not only for temperatures, but also for the presence of a little nice pathogen. The West Nile Virus has returned to get alivewith effects that cannot be ignored. The virus, which for years now lives our countryside and cities, has so far remained rather silent. In this warm summer, however, it seems to have awakened. Ten cases confirmed so far and the financial statements also includes a death. The most critical situation is recorded in Lazio and, in particular, in the province of Latina, where seven of the ten cases reported are concentrated. Six of these have developed neuro-invasive forms, that is: the virus has affected the nervous system.
West Nile Virus in Italy, cases concentrated in Lazio
Two menone 63 years and the other of 72, they are currently hospitalized in critical conditions And their stories cross, even without getting to know each other, in the same department of the Santa Maria Goretti hospital in Latina. The other four patients are slowly improvingbut they remain special surveillance. The death concernsInstead, An 82 -year -old womanresiding in Nerola, in the province of Rome, hospitalized in mid -July for fever and confusion. In the same province, The death of a horse was also recorded, due to an infection compatible with the West Nile. A further sign of the presence of the virus in the environment.
No alarm, but be careful of mosquitoes
The Ministry of Health reassure: The epidemiological trend is “in line with the other years”. Still, something screeches. In 2024 there were 460 cases, with 20 deaths. This year, the numbers are lower, it is true, but the most concentrated geographical distribution and the severity of some symptoms require not to lower the guard.
Between summer heat and outdoor evenings, the West Nile returns to circular. Defend yourself from mosquitoes (Getty)
The journey of the West Nile Virus and its discretion
The West Nile arrived in Italy in 1998, brought by mosquitoes. But only in 2008 did he begin to hit the man. Since then, every summer he reappears, as a known, but decidedly unwanted guest. The contagion does not happen from person to person and not even from a horse to man. Only the Zanzara is responsible: Punge a bird, especially wild, main natural tanks of the virus, is infected and then returns it with his puncture to the human being who is spending a quiet evening in the garden.
Symptoms that confuse and diagnosis that are slow: it looks like an influence
One of the subtle aspects of the virus is that it is often invisible. Eight out of ten people, in fact, will have no symptoms. The others will think they have a summer influence: fever, tiredness, muscle pain. But in fragile subjects, the course can be more insidious. Encephalitis, mental confusions, neurological damage. Moreover, the window between the puncture and the symptoms is wide: from two to fourteen days. Sometimes even three weeks. Too much time to remember that evening when you were points.
Daily prevention and gestures that make the difference
Unfortunately there is no vaccine, nor a definitive care. Only the treatment of symptoms and constant supervision. The only defense is to avoid puncture. And to do it, of course, measures are used: repellents to spray or spread on the skin, mosquito nets to the windows and nothing stagnant water in the saucers. In the end, Long and clear clothes. Simple gestures, particularly useful when the enemy is invisible.
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