Latest news with #ItalianNationalInstituteofHealth
Euronews
11-08-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Italy sees botulism outbreaks linked to contaminated food
Two separate outbreaks of botulism poisoning have been worrying Italy in recent weeks. In Calabria, the most serious cluster has resulted in two deaths and 12 hospitalisations, while other botulism cases have been reported in Sardinia. All of these cases can be traced back to contaminated food, including industrial and household preserves. Botulism is a rare but serious illness that can cause breathing problems, muscle paralysis, and death. People can get botulism by eating homemade foods that have not been properly canned, preserved, or fermented. Sardinia's outbreak, for example, has been linked to contaminated industrial sauce. The outbreak in Calabria, which started between August 3 and 5 in Diamante in the Cosenza province, involved 18 people who ate sandwiches with sausage and turnip tops purchased from a street vendor. Two people died. The Paola public prosecutor's office is investigating nine potential suspects, including the vendor, three managers from the companies that made the contaminated food, and five doctors from two health facilities in the Cosenza area. The alleged offences range from manslaughter to trading in harmful foodstuffs. The investigation is continuing; autopsies are planned and the food truck was seized for inspection. Another 14 patients who were hospitalised are in stable condition. Six are in intensive care, with one patient already extubated and breathing independently, while three children are in paediatric care and five patients are in other wards. The hospital has received several vials of botulinum toxin antidote, which is essential for the timely treatment of cases. Diamante Mayor Achille Ordine called the illnesses "circumscribed and limited". Improper food canning raises risks of botulism Italy confirmed 452 cases of botulism between 2001 and 2020, the Italian National Institute of Health said. The average fatality rate was 3.1 per cent. Most of the cases (91 per cent) were foodborne, often related to the consumption of home canned foods. In 2023, Italy recorded 36 botulism cases, the highest number in Europe followed by France (15), Romania and Spain (14 each), and Germany (16). The Italian canning tradition, especially in southern regions, is one of the main causes of this high incidence. Home preservation of food, if not performed correctly, can promote the proliferation of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism. "There is no alarm, but prevention is essential, especially in the preparation of home preserves," said Carlo Alessandro Locatelli, director of the Pavia Poison Control Centre. "Botulinum toxin is invisible and often does not alter the taste of food. The antidote is only effective in the early stages, when the toxin is still in the bloodstream". Signs of botulism and how to prevent it Symptoms can occur from six hours up to seven days after eating contaminated food and include double vision, dilation of both pupils, drooping of the eyelids, difficulty speaking and swallowing, dry mouth, and constipation. In severe cases, it can impair breathing, necessitating intubation. Italian health authorities recommend carefully sterilising containers and tools for preserves, observing safe storage procedures, and avoiding giving honey and home-made preserves to children under one year old. In case of suspected intoxication, it is important to immediately contact the emergency room or the Pavia Poison Control Centre. Regarding the known outbreaks, health authorities are monitoring patients and have distributed doses of botulinum toxin antidote to the hospitals involved.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Italy records 10th death due to West Nile virus
Rome: A 93-year-old woman died in the Italian region of Lazio from the West Nile virus . This is the tenth death in the country. In Europe, infection cases were registered in five countries, EuroNews reported. The death toll from the West Nile virus in Italy since the beginning of the year rose to ten after a 93-year-old woman died at the SpallanzInstitute in Rome. It was the fourth case verified in the Lazio region. The patient, originally from Cisterna di Latina, had been admitted to San Paulo in Velletri before being transferred to Rome. Three other deaths from the virus were reported last Wednesday. This includes a 76-year-old man from Salerona, a 73-year-old man from Maddaloni and an 86-year-old who was admitted to the Santa Maria Goretti hospital in Latina. He was among the first infected in the area and reportedly suffered with several previous diseases, as reported by EuroNews. In its latest report on Thursday, the Italian National Institute of Health reported the following data. It said 57 new human cases of West Nile virus were reported between July 24-30. Among the confirmed cased, eight deaths were reported. The lethality rate of the neuro-invasive form of the virus is 20 per cent in 2025 compared to 14 per cent in 2024 and 20 per cent in 2018. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control released the latest data on infections in Europe on Thursday which said that cases were registered in Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and France, as per EuroNews. 25 cases of locally acquired West Nile virus infection were reported for the first time in the 2025 transmission season in one region each in Bulgaria and France. Compared to the previous week, Greece reported cases of West Nile virus infection in three new regions, Italy in seven new regions and Romania in one new region. The highest number of cases (43) was reported in the province of Latina, Italy. West Nile fever causes high fever and rashes. It is a globally widespread viral disease caused by the West Nile virus. The main hosts of the virus are usually wild birds. Transmission to humans occurs mainly through mosquito bites. In rare cases, it can occur through transplants, transfusion or from mother to foetus, as per EuroNews. It is not transmitted from person to person through physical contact. Other mammals such as horses and, to a lesser extent, dogs and cats, can also be infected. The incubation period lasts from two to 14 days. Most infected people do not show any symptoms. About 20 per cent develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and skin rashes, which usually disappear on their own within a few days.
NDTV
04-08-2025
- Health
- NDTV
All You Need To Know About West Nile Virus That's Spreading Across Europe
A 93-year-old woman in Italy's Lazio region died from the West Nile Virus (WNV). It was the tenth death in the country. The infection cases have been registered in five European countries, EuroNews reported. It was the fourth verified case in the Lazio region. The patient, originally from Cisterna di Latina, had been admitted to San Paulo in Velletri before being transferred to Rome. What Is West Nile Virus (WNV): Symptoms And Prevention The West Nile virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito of the Culex species. The mosquitoes get the infection by feeding on infected birds. The West Nile virus can cause severe illness in humans. Most people (about 80 per cent) infected with WNV won't show any symptoms. Meanwhile, the mild symptoms might include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord), or acute flaccid paralysis might also happen. There is no specific treatment for WNV, but symptoms can be managed with supportive care, such as hospitalisation, IV fluids, and pain management. People over 50 years old are at higher risk of severe illness. Those with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients or people with certain medical conditions, are also at increased risk. West Nile Virus Cases Across Europe The Lazio woman, originally from Cisterna di Latina, had been admitted to San Paulo in Velletri before being transferred to Rome. A 76-year-old man from Salerona, a 73-year-old man from Maddaloni and an 86-year-old man were among those admitted to the Santa Maria Goretti hospital in Latina. He was among the first infected in the area and reportedly suffered from several previous diseases, as reported by EuroNews. The Italian National Institute of Health shared data last week, stating that 57 new human cases of West Nile virus were reported between July 24 and 30. Among the confirmed cases, eight deaths were reported. The lethality rate of the neuro-invasive form of the virus is 20 per cent in 2025, compared to 14 per cent in 2024 and 20 per cent in 2018. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the cases were registered in Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and France, as per EuroNews. The highest number of cases (43) was reported in the province of Latina, Italy.
Euronews
02-08-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Ten deaths from West Nile virus reported in Italy
The death toll from the West Nile virus in Italy since the beginning of the year rose to ten after a 93-year-old woman died at the Spallanzani Institute in Rome. It was the fourth cased verified in the Lazio region. The patient, originally from Cisterna di Latina, had been admitted to San Paulo in Velletri before being transferred to Rome. Three other deaths from the virus were reported last Wednesday. This includes a 76-year-old man from Salerona, a 73-year-old man from Maddaloni and an 86-year-old who was admitted to the Santa Maria Goretti hospital in Latina. He was among the first infected in the area and reportedly suffered with several previous diseases. In its latest report on Thursday, the Italian National Institute of Health reported the following data. It said 57 new human cases of West Nile virus were reported between the 24th and 30th of July. Among the confirmed cased, eight deaths were reported. The lethality rate of the neuro-invasive form of the virus is 20% in 2025 compared to 14% in 2024 and 20% in 2018. Data on West Nile fever in Europe The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control released the latest data on infections in Europe on Thursday. Cases were registered in Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and France. 25 cases of locally acquired West Nile virus infection were reported for the first time in the 2025 transmission season in one region each in Bulgaria and France. Compared to the previous week, Greece reported cases of West Nile virus infection in three new regions, Italy in seven new regions and Romania in one new region. The highest number of cases (43) was reported in the province of Latina, Italy. What is West Nile fever and how to prevent it West Nile fever causes high fever and rashes. It is a globally widespread viral diseased caused by the West Nile virus. The main hosts of the virus are usually wild birds. Transmission to humans occurs mainly through mosquito bites. In rare cases, it can occur through transplants, transfusion or from mother to foetus. It is not transmitted from person to person through physical contact. Other mammals such as horses and, to a lesser extent, dogs and cats, can also be infected. The incubation period lasts from two to 14 days. Most infected people do not show any symptoms. About 20% develop mild symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and skin rashes, which usually disappear on their own within a few days. In less than 1% of cases, symptoms can be severe. This includes high fever, disorientation, tremors and, in the most serious cases, paralysis and coma. Diagnosis is made by laboratory tests that look for antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile fever. Treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms, and in severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary. Prevention is the only effective strategy and is based on reducing exposure to mosquito bites. It is advised to use insect repellents, wear protective clothing, install mosquito nets and remove still water from containers to prevent mosquito breeding.
