Overview

• An 82-year-old woman from Nerola north of Rome succumbed to West Nile virus, marking the region’s first reported fatality.
• Officials have confirmed six additional infections around the capital, with two patients aged 63 and 72 in critical condition.
• A dedicated task force is coordinating increased testing, mosquito surveillance and public advisories to curb the outbreak.
• Germany has reported recurring seasonal West Nile cases for years, and experts estimate that up to 80 percent of infections may be asymptomatic and unreported.
• Authorities warn that rising temperatures could boost mosquito populations and heighten the risk of further outbreaks, many of which may go undetected.