Indigenous malaria case in Veneto denied

The recent emergence of a potential autochthonous malaria case in the Veneto region has given rise to concerns regarding a resurgence of the disease in Italy. However, experts have dismissed this hypothesis, classifying the case as imported. The local health authorities, carrying out a thorough epidemiological investigation of the case, ascertained that the infected patient had returned from a trip abroad. ‘Following cross-checks with the Maritime, Air and Border Health Offices, a recent trip abroad to a malaria endemic area, initially undeclared, emerged, allowing the case to be classified as imported,’ reported the Veneto Region. According to experts, the current epidemiological situation in Italy does not present any conditions that are liable to facilitate the spread of malaria. The Anopheles mosquito, a vector for malaria, is not present in Italy. The possibility of a single imported case exists, but the probability of an outbreak or epidemic is relatively low.