Italy confirms case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in healthcare worker

​On 12 May 2015, Italian authorities informed about a confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in a healthcare worker who recently returned from Sierra Leone after working in an EVD treatment centre from 15 February to 6 May 2015.

Returning to Italy by plane through Casablanca on 7 May 2015, the healthcare worker did not show any symptoms of EVD at arrival in Italy and self-monitored his health status as per protocol. Onset of symptoms with fever started on 10 May 2015, 72 hours after his return to Italy. The patient self-isolated at home and was transported on 11 May 2015 to the infectious diseases ward of the hospital of Sassari (Sardinia) with containment precautions. Clinical samples have been tested by the national reference centre of the INMI Lazzaro Spallanzani of Rome on 12 May 2015, confirming Ebola virus infection.Taking into account that the onset of symptoms occurred 72 hours after the last flight, contact tracing of the international travellers of the flights is not considered necessary. Only patients who have developed symptoms are considered as infectious through casual contacts. Healthcare workers of the hospital in Sassari, who examined the patient, wore personal protective equipment and are now under surveillance, as well as the close contacts of the patient.

The Italian Ministry of Health issued a statement on this first EVD case in Italy.

ECDC will monitor the situation. The conclusions of ECDC’s latest risk assessment remain valid.