Scarlet fever on the rise in Milan and its surroundings
Scarlet fever has become the most reported infectious disease in Milan and its surroundings, with a staggering increase in cases in 2023. According to the numbers from Ats Metropolitan City, there were 4,875 cases of scarlet fever reported last year, nearly three times higher than in 2019 when there were 1,681 cases.
The bacterium responsible for scarlet fever, group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus, has caused chaos in some instances, emptying entire kindergarten classes, overwhelming parents’ chats with positive swab communications, and inundating the telephones of family pediatricians. The 2023 report by Ats Milan on infectious diseases highlighted the alarming rise of scarlet fever, which has also been a cause for concern in hospitals.
Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti, dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the State University of Milan and director of Pediatrics at Vittore Buzzi children’s hospital, noted that there has been a resurgence in infections that were rarely seen during the Covid era. The report also indicated a decline in scarlet fever during the Covid pandemic before the rebound in 2023, with two-thirds of cases involving children under 10 years of age.
While scarlet fever has been on the rise, there have been positive developments in other areas. Gastroenteritis cases have decreased, thanks in part to the vaccination campaign against rotavirus. Zuccotti emphasized the importance of surveillance and early detection of infections like streptococcus to prevent further spread.
Overall, the winter virus season in 2023 did not bring many surprises apart from a rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Zuccotti remains optimistic about the future, noting that Covid had little impact on children in 2023. With continued vigilance and preventive measures, the healthcare system hopes to better manage infectious diseases in the coming years.