Dengue Virus Italy

The Federal Office for Public Health was informed by the Italian authority that a human autochthonous dengue virus infection was recorded in the Italian municipality of Montecchio Maggiore (Veneto Region).

The following measures were taken by the Italian authorities:

• interruption of blood donations in the municipality of Montecchio Maggiore. If platelet and plasma donations become pathogenically inactivated, collection may continue;
• Reinforcement of post-donation information to all donors living in the municipality of Montecchio Maggiore or travelling to the affected area;
• Application of a 28-day deferral for donors who have stayed in the municipality of Montecchio Maggiore since 27 July 2020, even if only for a short period. When the regional authorities provide further details on the development of the outbreak, the preventive blood safety measures will be adapted.

Appropriate attention is therefore requested in anamnesis interviews and donor selections.

This letter is in line with the current information provided by the BASG. As soon as further information becomes available, it will be communicated.

Further inquiry note

haemovigilanz@basg.gv.at