Five Cases of Measles with Variant Strain Confirmed in Lombardy
Since January 2024, the area that includes the Metropolitan City of Milan and surrounding areas in Lombardy has seen five confirmed cases of measles with variants that can escape diagnostic tests. These cases are all classified as genotype D8 and are considered “sporadic” as no clear epidemiological link has been found between them. This information comes from a study conducted by researchers from the State University of Milan and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, published in Eurosurveillance.
According to the study, three of the five identified cases had a recent travel history, with destinations including Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Southern Italy. Specifically, two of these cases were infected with MeV strains characterized by specific mismatches, as described by researcher Pérez-Rodríguez and his team in Switzerland, a region that borders the area where the Lombard cases were identified.
The researchers note that their results suggest that MeVs with specific mutations detected through Swiss molecular surveillance are already circulating in Italy. They also highlight the importance of promptly updating diagnostic tests to detect all currently circulating MeV strains, as they can be detected with reduced sensitivity by many currently used diagnostic tests.
This information is crucial for public health officials and healthcare professionals in the region, as it indicates the need for updated diagnostic protocols and increased vigilance to prevent the spread of measles. Efforts to monitor and address the spread of the virus will be essential to protect the health and safety of the population.
breaking latest news © Copyright ANSA