This year, nine people have died in Italy from the West Nile Virus, most of them from the region surrounding Rome, authorities announced on Monday.
The latest victim is a 77-year-old man who was hospitalised in mid-July in the city of Latina, south of Rome.
The West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and birds and can infect humans. Symptoms typically appear a few days after infection.
While many infected individuals show no symptoms, some develop mild, flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, and muscle pain. A small percentage may experience severe complications, such as encephalitis, which can be fatal.
Currently, there is no protective vaccine available.
Over eighty people are known to be infected in Italy, but the actual number is likely higher, since around 80% of cases are asymptomatic.
Last year Italy recorded 36 deaths from the virus, which first appeared there in 1998.
