Italy Raises Alert for Dengue Fever Due to Global Increase in Cases
In response to the global increase in dengue fever cases, Italy has raised its level of alert and vigilance towards carriers and goods coming from countries where “the risk of contracting the disease is frequent and continuous”. The Maritime, Air and Border Health Offices (Usmaf-Sasn) have been instructed to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
The move comes as Brazil is facing a dengue emergency with over 500 thousand cases, and the situation is also worsening in Argentina where the disease has been detected in more than half of its provinces. The International Health Regulations dictate that the airport/port area and the surrounding 400 meters should be kept free from sources of infection and contamination, including rodents and insects. The ministry also instructed to carefully monitor the disinsection of aircraft and to evaluate the opportunity to carry out extraordinary interventions for the surveillance of populations of vectors and other pests and for disinfestation.
Dengue fever is a tropical infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of mosquitoes. It generally causes flu-like symptoms but can sometimes manifest in a serious form, known as hemorrhagic dengue, which can be fatal. The disease is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus. The virus circulates in the blood of the infected person for 2-7 days and is then picked up and transmitted to other individuals through mosquito bites. Dengue is widespread mainly in tropical and subtropical countries, especially in urban areas, and is particularly present during and after the rainy season.
Italy’s move to raise the level of alert and vigilance is aimed at preventing the spread of the disease within its borders. Additionally, a vaccine against dengue fever has been ordered and will arrive next week at the Inmi Spallanzani in Rome where it will be possible to obtain it. Though fatal cases are rare, the vaccine offers another layer of protection against the disease, especially for those who travel to dengue-prone areas.
For further information, ANSA Agency is providing updates on dengue fever and the measures taken to prevent its spread in Italy.