[Cases of Chikungunya fever in Italy in travellers returning from the Indian Ocean and risk of introduction of the disease to Italy].
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease characterized by fever, arthralgia and rash. A large outbreak of Chikungunya fever began in 2005 in La Reunion, and it is still ongoing on many islands and countries of the Indian Ocean. Several cases have been detected in Europe in travellers returning from the affected areas. The disease is transmitted by the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, which are also widespread in Italy. We describe 7 cases of Chikungunya fever imported into Italy by travellers returning from affected countries. The current outbreak is described, and the risk of establishment of a chain of transmission in Italy is discussed.
Fusco
Francesco Maria
FM
Dipartimento di Ricerca Sperimentale, INMI L. Spallanzani, Roma, Italy.
Puro
Vincenzo
V
Di Caro
Antonino
A
Nicastri
Emanuele
E
Carannante
Novella
N
Faella
Francesco Saverio
FS
Barzon
Luisa
L
Di Cesare
Simona
S
Palù
Giorgio
G
Capobianchi
Maria Rosaria
MR
Ippolito
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002646:Chikungunya virus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019156:Indian Ocean; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014195:Travel