The second case of West Nile fever in the province of Oristano and in all of Sardinia has ended tragically.

A ninety-year-old resident of the province of Oristano who was admitted to San Martino Hospital in Oristano with a high fever in recent days has tested positive. These symptoms prompted laboratory tests, which confirmed he was positive for West Nile virus.

Unfortunately, the clinical picture and advanced age led to the person's death yesterday.

This is the second human case of West Nile fever confirmed in the Oristano Local Health Authority (ASL) area in 2026, following the one detected last May.

"Let's remember that the virus is asymptomatic in 80 percent of people who contract it, while in 20 percent of cases it can cause fever, headache, and muscle aches. In less than 1 percent of cases, the disease presents as a neuroinvasive form (encephalitis, meningitis, meningoencephalitis, or flaccid paralysis): a risk that increases with age and is more common after the age of 60," explains Maria Valentina Marras, director of the Department of Prevention.

"We are saddened to announce this death," says Grazia Cattina, General Director of Oristano Local Health Authority (ASL 5) , "and once again we emphasize the importance of maintaining everyone's awareness of this issue. This year, prevention and information efforts have been strengthened thanks to collaboration with the Province, which has also distributed larval control kits. This is a fight that must be conducted at all levels, both collectively and individually, in an area where the virus has now become endemic."

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