West Nile virus SWEEPS EUROPE: More than 10 cases of respiratory disease found in ITALY

Authorities are struggling to contain the infection with three areas already testing positive for the virus - Jesolo, Caorle and Ceggia.

All three had already been decontaminated, meaning the outbreaks are moving faster than tests and disinfestations.

A 77-year-old man died yesterday after he contracted an infected mosquito bite in Cento, near Bologna in northern Italy.

He had originally been admitted to hospital for a fall on Tuesday, July 24, but his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a specialist hospital 60 miles away in Cona, where he was diagnosed with West Nile meningoencephalitis.

He died four days later.

The West Nile virus has no symptoms in 75 percent of cases. But those who do show signs suffer flu-like symptoms, with a fever, headache, vomiting and a rash.

In the worst of cases, the virus can develop into meningitis or encephalitis causes seizures and confusion.

If the infection reaches the nervous system, it can cause death in 10 percent of cases.

The twelfth person to be infected by the virus, in the eastern Veneto region, saw small bubbles erupt all over her body, as well as a headache and joint pains, two days ago.

The mayor of Fossalta di Piave, in the Venice area, has ordered a “massive disinfestation” throughout the area, after the 53-year-old woman tested positive for the infection.

The woman managed to stop the infection becoming any more dangerous by spotting symptoms early.

Pier Giorgio Scotton, expert in infectious diseases in the Italian city of Treviso, said: "She went to the doctor and said, ‘Could it be the West Nile?’ And she was immediately tested. Their suspicion was founded.”

She was taken to hospital immediately, where she is now out of danger and recovering.

Mr Scotton said: “She was always lucid and present. She will still need a few days to say that the most difficult phase is over.”

It is not known where the infected mosquito was as the woman had travelled in the Jesolo and Eraclea areas.

It is also difficult to identify where infected mosquitos are as incubation periods can vary from person to person from two days to two weeks.

And mosquitos travel between towns within just a few hours.

Massimo Sensini, mayor of Fossalta, ordered a decontamination of the town, including private areas.

He said: “Weaker subjects, who could be more exposed to the problem, can rest assured. I still invite the population to protect themselves from mosquito bites, particularly outside houses, with suitable repellents and clothing.”

The news comes as an outbreak of Dengue fever threatens travellers to south east Asia.

A boy in Coneglianese, 40 miles north of Venice, Italy, is suffering with a suspected case of Dengue, in the second case in Italy in a matter of days.

He had a temperature of 40 degrees, as well as a headache and joint pain.

He had been travelling around south east Asia.

Decontamination procedures have been launched in the towns Coneglianese and Padua - 25 miles west of Venice, with authorities testing insects in the areas.

Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.