Ebola, negative test for the two aid workers. Bertolaso: positive for Shigella

  "The clinical conditions of the two subjects remain under observation by infectious disease specialists. In light of the initial diagnostic results," Bertolaso explained. "Among the hypotheses currently being considered is that of an infection of bacterial origin in the gastrointestinal tract. In fact, Shigella positivity was found in both subjects'.

 Further microbiological and cultural investigations are underway. "At the moment, there are no elements of alarm for public health," he assured.

For virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco the activation of the 'health monitoring of some individuals who returned from Uganda shows how Italy's infectious preparedness system is now particularly attentive to international scenarios'.

"Right now, global attention is focused on the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a context that requires heightened surveillance especially for travellers from affected or neighbouring areas," the virologist tells LaPresse's LaSalute.

"Today we have a national network that is much better prepared than in the past, thanks to the experience gained during the Covid-19 pandemic and the continuous systems of coordination between the Ministry of Health, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, the Regions, and reference centres such as Sacco and Spallanzani. The situation is also constantly monitored at European level through the EU Commission's Health Security Committee'.

'It is therefore correct to maintain a high level of attention, but without creating alarmism: at presentthe risk for the Italian population remains very low and the health system is fully operational to identify and manage any suspected cases in a timely manner,' Pregliasco emphasises.

The risk for our country, they also reassure from the ministry, 'remains very low'.

Shigella is a contagious intestinal infection also known as bacillary dysentery. It is mainly transmitted by the fecal-oral route through consumption of contaminated water or food, or by direct contact with infected persons.

Ebola is transmitted through contact with biological fluids - blood, seminal and pre-ejaculatory fluid, vaginal secretions and rectal secretions, breast milk - and has a 21-day incubation period.