711 research outputs found
<it>Aedes albopictus </it>and the reemergence of Dengue
No full textAbstract Dengue is a vector-borne disease that is estimated to affect millions of individuals each year in tropical and subtropical areas, and it is reemerging in areas that have been disease-free for relatively long periods of time. In this issue of the journal, Peng et al. report on a Dengue outbreak in a city in southern China that had been disease-free for more than two decades. The infection, which was due to serotype 1, was introduced by a traveler from South-east Asia and transmitted by Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito. Compared to Aedes aegypti, which is the most important vector of Dengue, Ae albopictus is a less competent vector of arboviruses, and the epidemics it causes are milder. However, Ae albopictus is becoming an increasingly important vector because of its rapidly changing global distribution. In particular, the worldwide trade in second hand tires, which often contain water and are an ideal place for eggs and larvae, has been a key factor in the large-scale conquest of Ae albopictus, which easily adapts to new environments, even in a temperate climate. This expansion is creating new opportunities for viruses to circulate in new areas, becoming a common cause of epidemics in Ae aegypti-free countries, from Hawaii to Mauritius. The outbreak in China, like similar events, was mild and short-lived. Because epidemics due to Ae albopictus are milder, the replacement of Ae aegypti with the tiger mosquito could even result in public-health benefits. However, there is no solid evidence of this, and the milder course of the outbreak could be in part explained by the relatively short duration of the hot season in some affected areas. Since it is almost impossible to prevent Ae albopictus from being introduced in a country, mosquito-control measures at local level remain the most effective means of controlling arbovirus outbreaks.</p
Chikungunya Fever
No full textChikungunya fever is an emerging mosquito-borne disease which is expanding its geographical area of activity. Although commonly transmitted by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in tropical areas, viral strains with a single mutation showed adaptation to Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are widespread in several temperate areas of the world, leading to outbreaks in previously naive areas. Although considered a self-limiting disease, studies conducted in countries affected by recent epidemics have identified unusual severe clinical presentations of this viral infection. Preparedness and mosquito control activities are important in countries where either Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus have been detected in order to reduce the risk of introduction of the Chikungunya fever virus and/or to reduce its impact in areas where it is already circulating
Mandatory vaccination for infants and children: the Italian experience
No full textMaintaining high vaccination coverage is important in order to protect the individual and the community. Mandatory vaccination is an option in case of declining coverage. Widely used in the USA, it is considered a rather controversial issue in Europe. In Italy, after a decrease of vaccination coverage for the hexavalent and the MPR vaccine under the optimal threshold, a new law, which extended the number of mandatory vaccines from 4 to 10 and reinforced coercive measures, was introduced in July 2017. After 2 years, vaccination coverage increased for all mandatory vaccines and for the other two recommended vaccines (anti-pneumococcal and anti-meningococcal C). Although it is not possible to disentangle the role of other factors contributing to the positive outcome, consistently with the results of studies conducted in the USA, vaccine mandates appeared to be successful in increasing vaccination coverage in Italy. The long-term sustainability of the effect of mandatory vaccination and the potential negative drawbacks of the coercive measures need to be evaluated to generate scientific evidence in public health
Prefazione COVID-19: studi e riflessioni dell’epidemiologia italiana nel primo semestre della pandemia
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