Open AccessAutochthonous chikungunya virus transmission may have occurred in Bologna, Italy, during the summer 2007 outbreak
Author(s) -
Thomas Seyler,
Caterina Rizzo,
A C Finarelli,
C Po,
Piraino Alessio,
Vittorio Sambri,
Marta Luisa Ciofi degli Atti,
Stefania Salmaso
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
euro surveillance/eurosurveillance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.766
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1560-7917
pISSN - 1025-496X
DOI - 10.2807/ese.13.03.08015-en
Subject(s) - ravenna , outbreak , chikungunya , aedes albopictus , transmission (telecommunications) , chikungunya fever , public health , geography , medicine , environmental health , virology , ancient history , aedes aegypti , history , biology , botany , nursing , larva , electrical engineering , engineering
In Italy, a national surveillance system for chikungunya fever coordinated by the National Public Health Institute has been in place since August 2006. In summer 2007, an outbreak of chikungunya fever affected the Italian provinces of Ravenna, Cesena-Forli and Rimini [1-3]. As of 16 December 2007, health authorities identified 214 laboratory-confirmed cases with date of onset from 15 July to 28 September 2007. Most cases (161) occurred in the two neighbouring villages of Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna, but limited local transmission also took place in the cities of Ravenna, Cesena, Cervia, and Rimini. In September 2007, two confirmed cases (two women aged 68 and 70) were reported among residents of the city of Bologna (373,026 inhabitants). Both had a history of travel in the affected areas (municipality of Cervia). No unusual increase in the density of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the Bologna area was noted at that time (September).