Italy sees mosquitos spread the West Nile virus farther and longer as Europe warms
Italian health authorities see evidence that rising temperatures and longer warm seasons are helping mosquitoes spread West Nile virus across a wider area, during more months of the year.
Italy has seen a rise in West Nile virus infections, with over 650 cases reported this year, making up about half of all European cases. This increase is attributed to warmer temperatures and longer warm seasons associated with climate change, which help mosquitoes reproduce and extend the transmission season. Antonino Bella, a researcher at Italy's National Institute of Health, explains that more than 80% of infected individuals show no symptoms, but severe neurological complications can occur, predominantly in older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions.
The virus was considered endemic in Italy since 2020, with cases now reported each summer and early fall. The expansion of the virus's reach to areas previously unaffected highlights the gradual spread across the country. European countries further north, like Belgium and the Netherlands, are also observing an increase in West Nile cases and fatalities, indicating that warming weather is likely to expand the virus's reach globally.
Marc-Alain Widdowson, from the World Health Organization, emphasizes that climate change plays a significant role in extending the mosquito season and enhancing the virus's survival, thereby increasing the likelihood of transmission. Italy's robust monitoring system, which tracks mosquitoes, birds, blood donors, and human infections, is a key factor in the country's ability to detect a high number of cases.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns that a warming climate, characterized by more frequent heat waves, flooding, and longer summers, coupled with habitat changes and reduced bird diversity, creates favorable conditions for invasive mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. These species can transmit various viruses, including West Nile, and have been established in Cyprus and 13 European countries this year, affecting 337 regions.
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