Genomic epidemiology and phylogeographic reconstruction of West Nile virus 2 in Italy from 2011 to 2023.

ABSTRACT: Since its introduction to Europe in 2004, West Nile Virus Lineage 2 (WNV-2) has become endemic, with Italy reporting the highest number of cases each season. In 2022, WNV infections in Italy exceeded those recorded during the major 2018 outbreak-the largest ever reported in Europe. This study investigates the genomic epidemiology of WNV during the 2022 and 2023 transmission seasons. We analyzed 123 environmental samples from wild birds and mosquito pools collected between May and October 2022-2023 in northwestern Italy. All but one sample belonged to Lineage 2; lineage 1 was detected in two bird samples, with one showing co-infection. A total of 98 complete genomes were sequenced. Phylogeographic reconstruction indicated the origin of the main European clade in Hungary in 2004, with introd

SUBMITTER: Della Ventura C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811532 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature