MEASLES CASES ON THE RISE IN ITALY: 213 REPORTED IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2024
A recent bulletin released by the Higher Institute of Health in Italy has revealed a concerning increase in measles cases in the country. From January 1st to March 31st, a total of 213 cases of measles were reported, with 181 of them confirmed, marking an 85% confirmation rate.
The bulletin also highlighted that the year 2024 has seen a rise in measles cases, with 34 infections reported in January, 96 in February, and 83 in March. Shockingly, nearly 9 out of 10 infected individuals (88.2%) were not vaccinated against the disease.
Of the total measles cases recorded in the first quarter of 2024, 18 were imported cases, representing 8.4% of the total. The majority of infections, 68%, were reported in three regions: Lazio, Sicily, and Tuscany. The average age of those infected was 31 years old, with a high incidence among children aged 0 to 4 years.
Complications were reported in 26.3% of cases, with 23 cases of pneumonia and one case of encephalitis in an unvaccinated adult. The transmission of the virus also occurred in hospitals, with 20 cases reported, including 11 healthcare workers.
Experts are warning that Italy is facing the beginning of an epidemic, with infectious disease specialists like Matteo Bassetti and Fabrizio Pregliasco emphasizing the importance of vaccination in controlling the spread of the disease. Bassetti stressed the seriousness of measles, especially in adults, and called for state intervention to increase vaccination coverage.
Pregliasco echoed the sentiment, calling for targeted vaccination campaigns to protect the most vulnerable populations. With the number of measles cases on the rise in Italy, health authorities are urging the public to prioritize vaccination as a crucial preventive measure against the disease.