Human Arboviral Infections in Italy: Past, Current, and Future Challenges

Viruses. 2023 Jan 27;15(2):368. doi: 10.3390/v15020368.

Abstract

Arboviruses represent a public health concern in many European countries, including Italy, mostly because they can infect humans, causing potentially severe emergent or re-emergent diseases, with epidemic outbreaks and the introduction of endemic circulation of new species previously confined to tropical and sub-tropical regions. In this review, we summarize the Italian epidemiology of arboviral infection over the past 10 years, describing both endemic and imported arboviral infections, vector distribution, and the influence of climate change on vector ecology. Strengthening surveillance systems at a national and international level is highly recommended to be prepared to face potential threats due to arbovirus diffusion.

Keywords: Chikungunya; Toscana; Usutu; West Nile; arbovirus; climate; outbreak; sandfly fever Naples virus; sandfly fever Sicilian virus; tick-borne encephalitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arbovirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Climate Change
  • Diffusion
  • Europe
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.