West Nile virus in Italy (La Spezia)

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported a case of West Nile virus (WNV) in La Spezia, north west Italy in the week before 8 July 2021. This is the first time a human case of WNV has been recorded in this province.

West Nile Fever is caused by West Nile virus (WNV).  It is spread by Culex mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness and rarely, severe 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.