Dengue 2018-2024 - Centro Nazionale Sangue

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the Dengue virus, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Although Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person, humans are the main host of the virus. The virus circulates in the blood of an infected person for 2-7 days, and if a mosquito bites that person during that time it will in turn become infected and then can transmit the virus when it bites a healthy person. In the western hemisphere, the main vector is the Aedes aegypti mosquito, although cases of transmission from Aedes albopictus have been reported. Dengue has been known for more than two centuries, and outbreaks are more likely to occur during and after the rainy season in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Southeast Asia and China, India, the Middle East, Latin and Central America, Australia and several parts of the Pacific.

EpIn recent decades, the spread of dengue has grown in many tropical regions. In northern hemisphere countries, particularly in Europe, it poses a danger from a global health perspective, as it manifests itself mainly as an imported disease, the rising incidence of which is due to the increased movement of goods and people. According to the WHO, the incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold in the last 50 years. It is estimated that up to 50-100 million infections occur annually in more than 100 endemic countries, putting almost half of the world’s population at risk.

Epiemiological Surveillance (update 10/15/2024)

The following information are based on the epidemiological updates provided by the European Center Disease and Control – ECDC, through the Multi-country (World) Monitoring global outbreaks, the following is represented.

As of January 2024, over half a million cases of DENV infection and over 100 related deaths have been reported globally. As reported in the PAHO/WHO epidemiological bulletin, the majority of cases were reported in the Americas region, with a cumulative number of 673,267 suspected cases in the first five weeks of 2024, and an increase of 156% compared to the same period in 2023 and 225% compared to the average of the last 5 years. In particular, the increase in cases has been reported in Brazil, where the circulation of all four DENV serotypes has been detected.

An increase in DENV circulation has been detected in the Department of French Guiana, with over 2,000 cases in the first four weeks of 2024. DENV circulation is still reported in the Departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique, and the Collectivities of Saint-Martin and Saint Barthèlemy ( France), with hospitalizations showing a decreasing trend after the increases in previous months.

According to WHO, in January 2024, circulation of DENV was also reported in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. The number of cases reported by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is within expected levels, while in January 2024 Thailand reported a 7.3% increase in the number of cases compared to December 2023 (11,180 DENV cases and five deaths).

In Africa, DENV was reported in 2024 in four African Union Member States (Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe).

With reference to the European epidemiological situation, the European Center Disease and Control – ECDC reports the presence of indigenous cases of DENV infection in the following territories:

France:
– Department of Gard (Occitania Region)
– Department of Var (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region)

The measures are also in force for the overseas departments of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Réunion and for the collectivities of Saint-Martin and Saint Barthèlemy.

Spain:
– Province of Tarragona

Given the above, without prejudice to the provisions of the Ministerial Decree of 2 November 2015 relating to the exclusion criteria for travel to tropical areas, with respect to other European and non-European areas with active circulation reported by the WHO and ECDC, it is recommended to:

Strengthen surveillance measures on possible imported cases of DENV by activating anamnestic surveillance of blood donors for travel to risk areas;
For donors who have stayed in the affected areas apply a temporary suspension of 28 days starting from the return date or, alternatively, carry out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
For donors with a positive history of DENV infection (documented infection or appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection) apply a temporary suspension of 120 days starting from the resolution of symptoms
Raise awareness among donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

Italy
Since the reports of indigenous cases of Dengue virus (DENV) infection in the municipalities of Albinea (Reggio Emilia), Ospitaletto and Cazzago San Martino (Brescia), Pesaro, Fano and San Costanzo (Pesaro-Urbino), Rapolano Terme (Siena), Cavezzo (Modena), Malo (Vicenza), Ortona (Chieti), Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Castelfidardo (Ancona) were confirmed, the following measures have been adopted:

For the municipality of Albinea (RE):
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Ospitaletto (BS):
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Fano (PU):
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of San Costanzo (PU)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Rapolano Terme (SI)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Cavezzo (MO)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Malo (VI)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Cazzago San Martino (BS)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Ortona (CH)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Pesaro (PU)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Sesto Fiorentino (FI)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

For the municipality of Castelfidardo (AN)
1. Temporary suspension of blood and blood component collection, alternatively, carrying out the DENV NAT test on all donors;
2. ask donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection, or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection, in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

At the national level:
1. Strengthening of the anamnestic selection investigation, required by current regulatory provisions, ascertaining whether the donor:

As of 22 August 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Albinea (RE)
As of 10 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Ospitaletto (BS)
As of 12 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Fano (PU)
As of 13 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of San Costanzo (PU)
As of 16 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Rapolano Terme (SI)
As of 18 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Cavezzo (MO)
As of 19 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Malo (VI)
As of 23 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Cazzago San Martino (BS)
As of 25 September 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Ortona (CH).
As of 7 October 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Pesaro (PU).
As of 9 October 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Sesto Fiorentino (FI)
As of 11 October 2024, he/she stayed, even for a few hours, in the municipality of Castelfidardo (AN)

2. 28 days temporary suspension (starting from return date) for donors who have stayed in the municipalities of Albinea (RE), Fano (PU), Ospitaletto (BS), Rapolano Terme (SI), San Costanzo (PU), Cavezzo (MO), Malo (VI), Cazzago San Martino (BS), Ortona (CH), Pesaro (PU), Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Castelfidardo (AN) or, alternatively, the execution of the DENV NAT test;
3. Remind donors to inform the competent transfusion service in the event of the appearance of symptoms compatible with DENV infection or in the event of a diagnosis of DENV infection in the 14 days following the donation (post donation information).

The National Blood Center will update these indications following the evolution of the national and international epidemiological situation. For circulars regarding prevention measures for HSCs, please refer to the dedicated CNT page

Countries/Territories/Areas reporting indigenous dengue cases (November 2022-2023). Source WHO

Decrees (Italian Text)