West Nile Virus Cases Rise in Oristano with New Infections and Fatality

The outbreak has resulted in one fatality involving a 90-year-old woman who died from complications linked to the virus, according to reporting from Sky TG24.

The increase in cases follows a sequence of reports from local health agencies. The Asl (Local Health Authority) in the province of Oristano previously confirmed that infections had risen to three, as reported by ANSA. The most recent case brings the total to four in that specific region, according to L’Unione Sarda.it.

Among the confirmed infections, one man required hospitalization to treat the virus, as detailed by La Nuova Sardegna. This patient represents the third case recorded across the broader Sardinia region in 2026, though the cluster remains concentrated in the Oristano area.

West Nile Virus fatalities and hospitalizations in Oristano

The severity of the current outbreak is marked by the death of a 90-year-old woman. Sky TG24 reported that the patient died in Oristano due to complications arising from the West Nile Virus. While most infections remain mild, the virus can cause severe neurological disease in elderly or immunocompromised individuals.

Hospitalization has also been necessary for other patients. La Nuova Sardegna confirmed that one man was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Regional case progression in Sardinia

The timeline of the 2026 outbreak shows a concentrated surge in the Oristano province.

The data indicates a specific geographic hotspot. While La Nuova Sardegna identified the hospitalized man as the third case in the wider Sardinia region, the subsequent update from L’Unione Sarda.it focuses specifically on the fourth case appearing within the province of Oristano.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds.