Italy records spike in West Nile virus cases
Italy recorded 51 new cases of West Nile virus infection between September 12th and September 18th, bringing the total number of infections registered since May 2024 to 382, a report from the National Health Institute (ISS) said.
This came after authorities recorded 64 new cases between August 29th and September 4th, and another 35 over the following seven-day period (September 5th-11th).
A total of 16 people have died from the virus since May, the report added. Veneto, northern Italy, was the region with the highest number of confirmed deaths, with 7, followed by Piedmont (3), Emilia Romagna (3), Lombardy (1), Friuli Venezia Giulia (1) and Calabria (1).
The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, but cannot pass from human to human.
Most infected people show no symptoms, according to the ISS.
Severe symptoms including high fever, headaches, tremors, drowsiness and seizures occur in fewer than one percent of infected people. In the most severe cases (around one in 1,000), the virus can cause fatal encephalitis.
Italy declares state of emergency for flood-hit regions
The Italian government declared a 12-month state of emergency for parts of Emilia Romagna and the entire Marche region after they were hit by devastating flooding last week, Ansa reported on Sunday.
“The measure regards the provinces of Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini and the Marche region,” Italy’s Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said.
The Italian government also approved a €20-million aid package to “address initial urgent interventions, rescue and assistance to the population, and the restoration of services and infrastructure,” Musumeci said.
Many of the areas affected by severe flooding last week were hit by deadly flash floods and landslides in May 2023.
Roma CEO steps down amid anger over club icon De Rossi’s sacking
Lina Souloukou, the CEO of Serie A football team AS Roma, resigned on Sunday after the surprise dismissal of coach and club icon Daniele De Rossi enraged supporters, AFP reported.
“AS Roma announces today that CEO Lina Souloukou has stepped down from her role,” Roma said in a short statement.
“We thank Lina for her dedicated service during a critical period for the club and wish her the best in her future endeavours,” the statement added.
Souloukou, who had become CEO in April 2023, was the target of Roma fans’ fury after the dismissal of club legend De Rossi last Wednesday following a poor start to the season.
Italian media reported that Souloukou and her children had been placed under police protection after receiving threats last week. Some fans also put up a banner outside Roma’s Trigoria training ground describing her as “evil”.
With reporting from Conor Faulkner.
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