As Europe warms, Italy sees West Nile virus spread
Rising temperatures in Europe are extending the transmission season for the West Nile virus, leading to increased infections in Italy and neighboring countries. Health experts warn that climate change is facilitating the spread of mosquito-borne diseases into new regions.
Why it matters
This trend illustrates the direct public health consequences of climate change as endemic diseases migrate to previously unaffected northern latitudes.
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.
More than 650 infections have been reported in Italy so far this year, accounting for roughly half of all cases recorded in Europe, according to local health authorities.
"Higher temperatures linked to climate change help mosquitoes reproduce and extend the transmission season, increasing the chances that infected mosquitoes will spread the virus to people," said Antonino Bella, researcher at Italy's National Institute of Health, or ISS.
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