Circulation of West Nile virus lineage 1 and 2 during an outbreak in Italy

Abstract

In 2011, from 26 September to 16 October, a small outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) disease occurred on the island of Sardinia (Italy). According to the national case definition, six cases with acute neurological disease were confirmed in hospitalized patients, and four of them died; one of these was only 34years old. In two case, WNV RNA was detected in urine, suggesting renal involvement. Sequence analysis showed lineage 1 and 2 circulation. © 2012 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2012 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.