Italy has raised to 41 the number of deaths from the West Nile virus, according to a report from the Ministry of Health. The country confirmed almost 600 cases of the disease, with a total of 594 people infected.
Of the 594 infected people, 306 cases correspond to the neuroinvasive form of the disease, which is considered the most severe. This form affects the central nervous system and can cause meningitis or encephalitis.
The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and its spread is associated with European summer climatic conditions, which favor the proliferation of these vector insects.
