# Italy's West Nile Virus Spreads as Europe Warms

> Rising temperatures in Europe extend West Nile virus transmission to new areas and longer seasons.
- Title: Italy's West Nile Virus Spreads as Europe Warms · Seattletimes
- Summary: Rising temperatures in Europe extend West Nile virus transmission to new areas and longer seasons. Warmer temperatures in Europe are helping mosquitoes…
- Keywords: west nile virus, italy, climate change, mosquitoes, europe, transmission season, aedes albopictus, aedes aegypti, news, local, Italy's, West
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/as-europe-warms-italy-sees-west-nile-virus-spread-farther-and-longer
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: west nile virus, italy, climate change, mosquitoes, europe, transmission season, aedes albopictus, aedes aegypti, news, local
## Rising temperatures extend West Nile virus spread
Italian health authorities report rising temperatures and longer warm seasons help mosquitoes spread West Nile virus across wider areas and more months of the year.

> 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
## Italy reports over 650 West Nile cases this year
More than 650 infections have been reported in Italy so far this year, accounting for roughly half of all cases recorded in Europe.
## West Nile virus in Italy since 2020
West Nile has been considered endemic in Italy since 2020, when cases started to surge, and is now reported every summer and early fall.
## Most infected show no symptoms
About 80% of infected people develop no symptoms, while most others experience a mild flu-like illness.
## Experts note warmer temperatures extend transmission season
Warmer temperatures favor mosquito reproduction and can mean the transmission season sometimes lasts as late as November.
## Italy's monitoring system detects cases
Italy’s extensive monitoring network, which tracks mosquitoes, birds, blood donors and human infections, helps explain why the country detects so many cases.
## Key takeaway

Warmer temperatures in Europe are helping mosquitoes spread West Nile virus farther and longer, with Italy reporting over 650 cases this year.