The number of human cases of West Nile virus infection in the Province of Oristano has risen to eighteen . A seventy-year-old and a fifty-year-old man , who exhibited symptoms of West Nile, have been confirmed to be infected and are both hospitalized at San Martino Hospital in Oristano .

As is standard procedure, the Prevention Department of Oristano's Local Health Authority (ASL 5) immediately began an epidemiological investigation and preventive measures, including disinfection of the areas where those who contracted the virus lived. The first case of West Nile dates back to last May and involved a person over sixty; the second, a person over ninety who, after contracting the virus and developing the disease, sadly died. The third case, a person over sixty, was discharged from the Oristano hospital and returned home; the fourth, a person over eighty-five, is still hospitalized at San Martino Hospital; the fifth and sixth cases are a person in their fifties and a person in their seventies, both of whom have returned home; the seventh and eighth cases are two people over seventy who are still hospitalized at San Martino Hospital in Oristano; and the ninth, a person over fifty, has already returned home. The tenth to twelfth cases are two people over seventy and one over fifty, still hospitalized at the Oristano hospital. The thirteenth and fourteenth cases are a person over fifty and an person over eighty, also still under observation at the Oristano hospital, where a person over seventy is also still hospitalized, the fifteenth case, while the sixteenth, another person over seventy, has returned home.

The recommendations

Maria Valentina Marras, Director of the Prevention Department: "We once again urge citizens, especially the frail and elderly, to prevent potential risky situations and protect themselves from mosquito bites using all the tools we recommend: avoid standing water, use insect repellent sprays and long clothing when outdoors, and secure your home with mosquito nets." "Let's continue to protect ourselves with these unique disease prevention and protection measures. And it's essential that those caring for the elderly and children ensure that both are implementing these protective measures," added Grazia Cattina, Director General of Local Health Authority 5.

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