Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna Province, Italy, November 2012 to May 2013

S Varani; R Cagarelli; F Melchionda; L Attard; C Salvadori; A C Finarelli; G A Gentilomi; R Tigani; R Rangoni; R Todeschini; A Scalone; T Di Muccio; M Gramiccia; L Gradoni; P Viale; M P Landini

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES2013.18.28.20530

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Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna Province, Italy, November 2012 to May 2013
S Varani¹ , R Cagarelli² , F Melchionda³ , L Attard⁴ , C Salvadori⁴ , A C Finarelli² , G A Gentilomi¹ , R Tigani¹ , R Rangoni⁵ , R Todeschini⁶ , A Scalone⁷ , T Di Muccio⁷ , M Gramiccia⁷ , L Gradoni⁷ , P Viale⁴ , M P Landini¹
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Affiliations: ¹ Unit of Microbiology, Regional Reference Center for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St. Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy ² Public Health Authority Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, Italy ³ Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, St. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy ⁴ Infectious Disease Unit, St. Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy ⁵ Public Health Department of Imola, Bologna, Italy ⁶ Public Health Department of Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna, Italy ⁷ Unit of Vector-Borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

Correspondence:
S Varani
stefania.varani unibo.it
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Citation style for this article: Varani S, Cagarelli R, Melchionda F, Attard L, Salvadori C, Finarelli A C, Gentilomi G A, Tigani R, Rangoni R, Todeschini R, Scalone A, Di Muccio T, Gramiccia M, Gradoni L, Viale P, Landini M P. Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna Province, Italy, November 2012 to May 2013. Euro Surveill. 2013;18(29):pii=20530. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES2013.18.28.20530 Received: 20 Jun 2013

Abstract

An increased number of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases has recently been reported in Bologna Province in northern Italy. Over six months from November 2012 to May 2013, 14 cases occurred, whereas the average number of cases per year was 2.6 (range: 0-8) in 2008 to 2012. VL was diagnosed in a median of 40 days (range: 15-120) from disease onset. This delay in diagnosis shows the need for heightened awareness of clinicians for autochthonous VL in Europe. .