Nono cases of Ebola in Sardinia. The test carried out at Spallanzani of Rome on the patient hospitalized in Cagliari after a trip to Democratic Republic of the Congo it tested negative. The news, released byHANDLEcloses a case that in the last few hours had attracted the attention of public opinion and offers the opportunity to understand what is really happening: what measures has the Ministry of Healthwhat is the risk for Italy and why experts urge us to remain alert without giving in to fear.
The case of Cagliari: the test ruled out Ebola
According to what was reported byHANDLEthe patient was a Congolese citizen residing in Cagliari, who returned in recent days from Kinshasa on a flight that stopped in Cairo and then in Fiumicino. The appearance of symptoms compatible with the disease had occurred initiate the health protocols envisaged for suspected cases. The biological samples were sent toSpallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseasesnational reference center for Ebola. THE’However, the results of the tests ruled out infection.
Because the Ministry of Health has strengthened controls
The case came as the Ministry of Health was already implementing new surveillance measures following the epidemic declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo. As reported byHANDLEtheordinance signed by the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci predicts that anyone arriving in Italy from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ugandadirectly or indirectly and by any means of transport, must declare your origin within 24 hours if you have stayed in those countries in the previous 21 days.
The objective is to quickly identify any suspected cases and activate the procedures established by the healthcare system.
The five levels of risk envisaged by the circular
The ministerial circular also introduces five levels of riskdefined based on the presence or absence of symptoms and possible exposure to the virus. The lowest levels include asymptomatic people without significant exposure, for whom health monitoring is required for up to 21 days. For situations considered most at risk, progressively more rigorous measures are taken, from active surveillance to quarantine and, in cases of high-risk exposure, to transport in biocontainment. The airport of Fiumicino was identified as national health hubwhile it Spallanzani remains the reference center for the management of suspected cases.
Ebola: how it is transmitted
One of the most important aspects clarified by Ministry of Health concerns the ways in which the virus is transmitted. Ebola is not transmitted through the air. Infection occurs through direct contact with blood, secretions, biological fluids or contaminated materials of a sick person. TO this link all the useful information from the Ministry of Health on Ebola.
This means that the simple proximity to a person coming from a country affected by the outbreak does not in itself represent a risk of contagion.
The FAQ published by the Ministry they also remember that a an infected person does not transmit the virus before symptoms appear.
The Ministry’s FAQ: the risk for Italy remains very low
In FAQ dedicated to EbolaThe Ministry of Health underlines that the risk for the Italian population is currently considered very lowin line with the assessments of European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
The most common initial symptoms include:
- fever;
- strong weakness;
- muscle pain;
- heachache;
- sore throat.
The period of incubation can go up to 21 dayswhich is why the surveillance measures concern the three weeks following arrival from areas affected by the epidemic.
Bassetti: «Caution is needed, but beware of the “wolf wolf” effect»
The management of the Cagliari case has also reopened the debate on the boundary between prudence and alarmism. In an interview published by New Sardinialinfectious disease specialist Matteo Bassettidirector of the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the San Martino Polyclinic in Genoa, urged us to maintain balance. “In a delicate phase like this, with an active outbreak in Africa, maximum caution is needed,” he says. However, according to the specialist, the communication of suspected cases should be handled with greater confidentiality. «Blocking a street and spreading premature news has a highly negative psychological impact on the population. The ‘wolf wolf effect’ can be dangerous.”
The test on the Cagliari patient is negative, but the Ministry has strengthened surveillance for those arriving from areas affected by the epidemic. Here’s what to know (Getty Images).
«Not every traveler from Congo is an Ebola case»
According to Bassetti, the risk is that of automatically associating geographical origin with the disease. “It is unthinkable that every person returning from Congo or Uganda would be treated as an Ebola case because of a fever,” he explains. The infectious disease specialist recalls that the protocol must be based not only on the country of origin, but above all on actual exposure to the virus.
«The protocol must be triggered only if the subject comes from a risk area and has had direct contact with Ebola patients». Bassetti also observes that the Democratic Republic of Congo is a very large territory and that theThe epicenter of the current outbreak is located in the north-eastern province on the border with UgandaWhile Kinshasawhere the Cagliari patient came from, is not currently the area affected by the epidemic.
The comment on Instagram: «Let’s continue on the scientific line»
Bassetti himself also intervened on social media. In a post published on Instagram he underlined that Italy was the first European country to adopt specific containment measures to limit the risks linked to the new Ebola outbreak. «Now, however, we must continue along this scientific line distance yourself from the denialist and novax world», he wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZAe3BIK7AI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The lesson of this case: distinguish between prudence and alarmism
The negative test of the Cagliari patient confirms theThe importance of surveillance systems and control protocols prepared by health authorities.
At the same time, as both the Ministry of Health and specialists point out, remember how important it is to distinguish between prudence and alarmism. The monitoring measures serve to quickly identify any suspected cases and protect public health, but without turning every report into an emergency. For this reason, the experts’ message remains clear: follow official indications, rely on scientific sources and always wait for confirmation of the data before drawing conclusions.