West Nile virus infection in Europe: need for an integration of occupational health practice and public health activities. Commentary

In these days, the West Nile virus (WNV), which is the most widespread arthropodborne virus infection in the world, is an emerging issue in Europe, wherein 2018, partial figures (until 25 October) showed a number of WNV infection cases more than doupled in comparison with previous five years. This mosquito-transmitted disease is surely a challenge for policymakers, but it is an occupational hazard for outdoor workers, as well. Occupational medicine is a public health discipline based on the principles of epidemiology. Therefore, we argue that addressing the WNV hazard may be an opportunity for integrating the occupational health practice with public health activities to boost their respective preventive strategies.