Outbreaks of autochthonous Dengue in Lazio region, Italy, August to September 2023: preliminary investigation
Gabriella De Carli, Fabrizio Carletti, Martina Spaziante, Cesare Ernesto Maria Gruber, Martina Rueca, Pietro Giorgio Spezia, Valentina Vantaggio, Alessandra Barca, Claudio De Liberato, Federico Romiti, Maria Teresa Scicluna, Stefania Vaglio, Mariano Feccia, Enrico Rosa, Francesco Paolo Gianzi, Cristina Giambi, Paola Scognamiglio, Emanuele Nicastri, Enrico Girardi, Fabrizio Maggi, Francesco Vairo, the Lazio Dengue Outbreak Group
Abstract
Between August and September 2023, three distinct autochthonous dengue virus transmission events occurred in Lazio, Italy, with the main event in Rome. The events involved three different dengue serotypes. No link with previous imported cases was identified. Here we describe the epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis of the first autochthonous cases and the implemented control actions. The multiple transmission events call for a strengthening of the vector control strategies and future research to better characterise the risk in countries like Italy.