Human neuroinvasive Toscana virus infections in Italy from 2016 to 2023: Increased incidence in 2022 and 2023.

BackgroundToscana virus (TOSV) is transmitted to humans through bites of infected sand flies. Neuroinvasive TOSV infections are leading causes of meningitis/encephalitis in southern Europe and notifiable in Italy since 2016. In 2022-23, Italy experienced extreme climate anomalies and a concomitant increase in mosquito and tick-borne disease transmission.

Autochthonous dengue outbreak in Marche Region, Central Italy, August to October 2024.

Between August and 28 October 2024, 199 autochthonous cases of dengue virus serotype 2 were notified in the city of Fano, central Italy. We describe the ongoing epidemiological and microbiological investigation and public health measures implemented to contain the outbreak. The high transmissibility and the extension of the outbreak suggest that dengue should be expected in temperate regions during favourable seasons, highlighting the need for heightened awareness among healthcare providers and the public to ensure timely detection and response.

Tracking progress on antimicrobial resistance by the quadripartite country self-assessment survey (TrACSS) in G7 countries, 2017-2023: opportunities and gaps.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses serious challenges to the healthcare systems worldwide. Multiple factors and activities contribute to the development and spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms. Monitoring progress in combating AMR is fundamental at both global and national levels to drive multisectoral actions, identify priorities, and coordinate strategies.

An outbreak of COVID-19 after a pilgrimage to Medjugorje due to Delta sub-lineages.

Introduction: A COVID-19 outbreak occurred at the end of October 2021 among pilgrims returning from Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Methodology: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2, epidemiological data, and phylogenetic analysis were used to reconstruct outbreak dynamics.

Results: The results suggest that only in one case, associated with the SARS-CoV-2 sub-lineage AY.

The decline of the 2022 Italian mpox epidemic: Role of behavior changes and control strategies.

In 2022, a global outbreak of mpox occurred, predominantly impacting men who have sex with men (MSM). The rapid decline of this epidemic is yet to be fully understood. We investigated the Italian outbreak by means of an individual-based mathematical model calibrated to surveillance data.

Diagnosis of Imported Dengue and Zika Virus Infections in Italy from November 2015 to November 2022: Laboratory Surveillance Data from a National Reference Laboratory.

Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses are mosquito-borne human pathogens. In Italy, the presence of the competent vector increases the risk of autochthonous transmission, and a national plan for arboviruses prevention, surveillance, and response (PNA 2020-2025) is in place. The results of laboratory diagnosis of both viruses by the National Reference Laboratory for arboviruses (NRLA) from November 2015 to November 2022 are presented.

The new Italian National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and its commitment to endorse a new efficient National Immunization Plan in COVID-19 times.

Among the objectives of the WHO Global Vaccination Action Plan 2020-2025, there is the establishment, in all countries, of a National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), an independent body with the aim of supporting and harmonising vaccination policies. Italy firstly established a NITAG in 2017; it contributed to the nation's immunization policies but fell short of its goal of becoming a true reference group. The newly appointed NITAG, made up of 28 independent experts, has the ambitious goal to promote the new National Immunization Prevention Plan (PNPV), to harmonise the current vaccination schedule with the anti-COVID-19 campaign, and to recover the vaccination coverage decline that occurred during the pandemic.

Tracking the progressive spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Italy, December 2021 to January 2022.

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Omicron was first detected in Italy in November 2021.AimTo comprehensively describe Omicron spread in Italy in the 2 subsequent months and its impact on the overall SARS-CoV-2 circulation at population level.MethodsWe analyse data from four genomic surveys conducted across the country between December 2021 and January 2022.

Rapid increase in neuroinvasive West Nile virus infections in humans, Italy, July 2022.

As in 2018, when a large West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic occurred, the 2022 vector season in Italy was marked by an early onset of WNV circulation in mosquitoes and birds. Human infections were limited until early July, when we observed a rapid increase in the number of cases. We describe the epidemiology of human infections and animal and vector surveillance for WNV and compare the more consolidated data of June and July 2022 with the same period in 2018.

Early Estimates of Monkeypox Incubation Period, Generation Time, and Reproduction Number, Italy, May-June 2022.

We analyzed the first 255 PCR-confirmed cases of monkeypox in Italy in 2022. Preliminary estimates indicate mean incubation period of 9.1 (95% CI 6.

Winning during a pandemic: epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 during EURO2020 in Italy.

Introduction: EURO2020 generated a growing media and population interest across the month period, that peaked with large spontaneous celebrations across the country upon winning the tournament.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from the national surveillance system (indicator-based) and from event-based surveillance to assess how the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) changed in June-July 2021 and to describe cases and clusters linked with EURO2020.

Results: Widespread increases in transmission and case numbers, mainly among younger males, were documented in Italy, none were linked with stadium attendance.

Malaria surveillance system and Hospital Discharge Records: Assessing differences in Italy, 2011-2017 database analysis.

Background: In Italy, surveillance through mandatory notification of cases to the National Surveillance System (NSS) has shown evidence of underreporting over the years. To evaluate the overall quality of malaria dataset, Hospital Discharge Records (HDRs) were analyzed as a second data source.

Methods: Malaria cases by NSS and by HRDs were compared and analyzed from 2011-through 2017.

COVID-19 response: effectiveness of weekly rapid risk assessments, Italy.

Problem: After Italy's first national restriction measures in 2020, a robust approach was needed to monitor the emerging epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at subnational level and provide data to inform the strengthening or easing of epidemic control measures.

Approach: We adapted the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control rapid risk assessment tool by including quantitative and qualitative indicators from existing national surveillance systems. We defined COVID-19 risk as a combination of the probability of uncontrolled transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and of an unsustainable impact of COVID-19 cases on hospital services, adjusted in relation to the health system's resilience.

Childhood Immunisation Coverage during the COVID-19 Epidemic in Italy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected national healthcare systems worldwide, with around 282 million cumulative confirmed cases reported in over 220 countries and territories as of the end of 2021. The Italian National Health System was heavily affected, with detrimental impacts on preventive service delivery. Routine vaccination services were disrupted across the country during the first months of the pandemic, and both access to and demand for vaccines have decreased during the pandemic.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on antibiotic use and resistance among healthcare workers in Italy, 2019: investigation by a clustering method.

Background: Identifying healthcare workers (HCW) who have less awareness and knowledge on antibiotic use and resistance represents a challenge for public health, since it might help the development of novel educational and training initiatives tailored on specific subgroups of professionals. This work aims to compare knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on antibiotic use and resistance across different groups of Italian HCW.

Methods: We used data from the multi-country and multi-professional survey launched by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control between 28 January to 4 March 2019 to assess knowledge, attitude and behaviors of HCW on antibiotics, antibiotic use and resistance.

Improved Temporal Trends of Vaccination Coverage Rates in Childhood after the Mandatory Vaccination Act, Italy 2014-2019.

Maintaining high vaccine coverage (VC) for pediatric vaccinations is crucial to ensure herd immunity, reducing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). The Italian vaccination Law (n. 119/2017) reinforced mandates for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis B, extending the mandate to pertussis, type b, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella, for children up to 16 years of age.

Prevention of human rabies: a challenge for the European Union and the European Economic Area.

Rabies is enzootic in over one hundred countries worldwide. In the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), the vast majority of human rabies cases are travellers bitten by dogs in rabies-enzootic countries, mostly in Asia and Africa. Thus, EU/EEA travellers visiting rabies enzootic countries should be aware of the risk of being infected with the rabies virus when having physical contact with mammals.

Correction to: West Nile virus in Europe: after action reviews of preparedness and response to the 2018 transmission season in Italy, Slovenia, Serbia and Greece.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Non-imported malaria in Italy: paradigmatic approaches and public health implications following an unusual cluster of cases in 2017.

Background: The European region achieved interruption of malaria transmission during the 1970s. Since then, malaria control programs were replaced by surveillance systems in order to prevent possible re-emergence of this disease. Sporadic cases of non-imported malaria were recorded in several European countries in the past decade and locally transmitted outbreaks of Plasmodium vivax, most probably supported by Anopheles sacharovi, have been repeatedly reported from Greece since 2009.

West Nile virus in Europe: after action reviews of preparedness and response to the 2018 transmission season in Italy, Slovenia, Serbia and Greece.

Background: After Action Reviews (AAR) with a One Health perspective were performed in Slovenia, Italy, Serbia and Greece following a severe West Nile virus (WNV) transmission season in 2018. A protocol combining traditional techniques and organizational process analysis was developed and then implemented in each country.

Results: In 2018, response to the unusually intense transmission season of WNV in Slovenia, Italy, Serbia and Greece took place through routine response mechanisms.

Early Introduction of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 into Europe.

Early infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Europe were detected in travelers from Wuhan, China, in January 2020. In 1 tour group, 5 of 30 members were ill; 3 cases were laboratory confirmed. In addition, a healthcare worker was infected.

The law on compulsory vaccination in Italy: an update 2 years after the introduction.

Italy introduced a national law extending the number of compulsory vaccines from four to 10 in July 2017. The implementation placed a further burden on immunisation centres as they were required to cover the increased demand of vaccination by the parents of unvaccinated children. Vaccine coverage (VC) estimated 6 months and 1 year later, at 24 and 30 months (same birth cohort), had increased for all vaccines.