The death toll from West Nile Virus outbreaks in Lazio, Campania, Piedmont, Calabria and Lombardy has risen to 20, health authorities said.
An 83-year-old man died in Caserta, the eighth fatality in the Naples area. Two men aged 80 and 85 died in Latina, bringing to nine the number of deaths in the Rome area. An 85-year-old man died near Milan, the first in the region around Italy’s financial hub.
Two further deaths were recorded in the northern region around Turin and the southern region around Reggio. All victims had been in intensive care and suffered from pre-existing conditions.
The Health Ministry said the situation was under control, with infection and fatality rates in line with recent years despite the spread to previously unaffected areas.
Via ANSA
