Congo virus, one dead in Treviso: update

The preliminary findings of the investigation into the death of a 55-year-old businessman resident in Treviso province, Italy, who succumbed following a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), suggest the possibility of a malaria infection. The President of the Lazio Region, Francesco Rocca, has indicated that, although all examinations at the ‘Spallanzani’ Institute in Rome are not yet complete, the preliminary results indicate the presence of malaria rather than an unidentified viral agent. The initial tests have revealed the presence of Plasmodium falciparum, an infectious agent that causes a deadly form of disease. This finding thus excludes the possibility of contagion, given that malaria is not contagious. The businessman was discovered to be deceased in his residence. In light of the circumstances surrounding the discovery, there was a concern that the mysterious disease that is currently affecting the DRC may have been the cause of death. Local health authorities promptly intervened on behalf of the daughter of the deceased, who had been her sole point of contact over the preceding week. She was confined to her residence with monitoring of her condition. To assess possible risks, the Ministry of Health and the Veneto Region obtained the list of passengers on the same flight as the deceased businessman.