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West Nile virus in northern Italy from the State Dept. STEP

Posted by (Loveland, CO) on

We'll be traveling to Lake Como, Verona & Venice later this month. I received the below STEP notice overnight. Anyone been in these areas recently who can share additional info?

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Rome, Italy (September 5, 2018)

Location: Northern and Central Italy

Event: This summer Italian health authorities have identified at least 123 human cases of West Nile virus in parts of northern and central Italy. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. While most infected people develop no symptoms, approximately 20 percent develop fever and other symptoms. In less than 1 percent of infected individuals develop serious neurologic illness, which can become life-threatening.

Action to Take:

  • Take extra precautions against mosquito bites this year due to an increased risk of exposure to West Nile Virus through November
  • Use insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites
  • Seek medical attention if symptoms develop
Posted by
16696 posts

Rab, I don't know what additional info anyone can provide. If West Nile is present, then follow the precautions to avoid getting bites, just as you would for areas where it's present in the U.S. If I was to add anything to the action list above, it would be to keep your hotel windows shut if they don't have screens, and to avoid outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mozzies tend to be particularly active.

https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html

Posted by
5 posts

Is there any problem with carrying insect repellent in my checked luggage into Italy for this?

Posted by
9064 posts

You can buy repellent wipes, which are much handier to transport than bottles or spray, and easier to use. You can find them at any walmart/target or big sporting goods store. They have repellent over there as well.

Posted by
16696 posts

Is there any problem with carrying insect repellent in my checked
luggage into Italy for this?

I wouldn't think so.

Posted by
117 posts

mreynolds, Thanks for the Amazon suggestion. I'll pick those up.

Posted by
16 posts

I just returned from Italy a week ago, and got a couple of mosquito bites while in Florence and Rome but not in Venice (did not go to Como or Verona). I carried mosquito repellent wipes but never used them because I absolutely loved this tiny repellent stick. I loved it because I didn't have to spray or wash my hands afterwards. I did not get any more bites after putting it on.
www.amazon.com/Repel-Sportsman-Insect-Repellent-1-Ounce/dp/B0081UBQV8?crid=64N9WHOM3FIX&keywords=repel+insect+repellent&qid=1536248625&sprefix=repel&sr=8-11&ref=mp_s_a_1_1

Posted by
1829 posts

No problem Rab, the product I linked to, has won many reviews as the most effective at repelling mosquitos.

It is powerful stuff and I swear by it, I am a photographer who often stays stationary for an hour long periods at dusk often near bodies of water ; much like a fisherman I guess so need some serious prevention. It is far more effective than any of the more known brands you see at the grocery store or pharmacy. Of course it is a little messy and does not smell the best so may be overkill for many ; though compared to DEET based products ; Picaridin is less greasy and less smelly ; I definitely prefer it.

Posted by
32396 posts

I often carry a full sized bottle of DEET-based insect repellent in my checked luggage (inside a zip-lok bag) and have never had any problems with that. I only pack it along on trips where I might encounter Mosquitos.

The product shown in the Amazon link also appears to be DEET-based, so it should perform about the same.

Consumer Reports did a study on insect repellents not too long ago, and the DEET products seem to be the best.

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