Outbreak of Human Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection in Campania, Italy, August–September 2024

<b><i>Background:</i></b> West Nile Virus (WNV) infection is endemic in Italy, but it has rarely reported in humans in Southern Italy. We report the first human outbreak of WNV infection in the Campania region, Italy. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Five confirmed and seven probable cases of WNV were identified from August to September 2024. Predominantly affecting elderly males with comorbidities, all but one patient developed West Nile neuroinvasive disease, presenting with fever and impaired consciousness. Remdesivir was administered off-label in four cases, potentially reducing hospitalization and improving outcomes. Mortality was limited to two cases, attributed to bacterial infections. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The outbreak underscores the importance of heightened surveillance in Italy and raises the potential for remdesivir in WNV treatment.

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Publication Details

Journal
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Published
2025-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/15303667251360262
Citations
6
Primary Topic
Mosquito-borne diseases and control
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
11.27
Controls
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article

Outbreak of Human Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection in Campania, Italy, August–September 2024

Nunzia Esposito, Lidia Festa, Giulio Viceconte, Antonio Riccardo Buonomo et al.
6 citations
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases and control
11.27
article

Outbreak of Human Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection in Campania, Italy, August–September 2024

Nunzia Esposito, Lidia Festa, Giulio Viceconte, Antonio Riccardo Buonomo, Matteo Megna, Canio Carriero, Antonio Glielmo, Roberto Alfano, Alessio Vinicio Codella, Ivan Gentile, Francesco Antimo Alfè, Maria Grazia Coppola, Franco Carmine Muccio, Marcello Lamberti, Luigi Forgione
article en
6 citations

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> West Nile Virus (WNV) infection is endemic in Italy, but it has rarely reported in humans in Southern Italy. We report the first human outbreak of WNV infection in the Campania region, Italy. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Five confirmed and seven probable cases of WNV were identified from August to September 2024. Predominantly affecting elderly males with comorbidities, all but one patient developed West Nile neuroinvasive disease, presenting with fever and impaired consciousness. Remdesivir was administered off-label in four cases, potentially reducing hospitalization and improving outcomes. Mortality was limited to two cases, attributed to bacterial infections. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The outbreak underscores the importance of heightened surveillance in Italy and raises the potential for remdesivir in WNV treatment.

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic DiseasesVol. 25(9)
University of Sannio (IT), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT), Ospedale D. Cotugno (IT), University of Naples Federico II (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Mosquito-borne diseases and control
11.27
DOISourceOpenAlex
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