European Medical Journal THE FIRST human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) infection has been reported in Italy.
Notification of the infection in the Lombardy Region marks the first human case reported in Europe.
Italy’s Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday that the infected person came from a non-European country where he contracted the low-pathogenicity avian influenza A(H9N2) virus of animal origin.
He was reportedly frail with concomitant illnesses and has since been hospitalised in isolation.
Health Authority Response
The Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday that all required checks were promptly carried out and relevant contacts identifies, in line with standard prevention and surveillance procedure.
Public health authorities initiated several epidemiological and microbiological investigations.
The Ministry also reportedly coordinated with the Lombardy Region, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, and the national reference laboratory expert group to ensure coordination and updating of international bodies.
No critical issues have currently been identified and the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation.