The virus can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected sandfly of the genus Phlebotomus.

In serious cases that go undiagnosed, acute meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis may occur.

[3] The virus is found in most countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, with the highest incidence in Italy.

Infection rates peak during the summer time as sandfly populations grow more abundant.

Laboratory diagnosis of TOSV infection can be performed through the use of ELISA, immunofluorescence and/or neutralization tests,[5] but reverse transcription, real-time polymerase chain reaction assays are preferred because they are less time-consuming and reduce the risk of contamination.