Botulism in Italy, 1986 to 2015

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Communicable Disease Surveillance
• Neurotoxicology

Background:

• Botulism is a rare but severe neuroparalytic disease caused by botulinum toxins.
• It is a closely monitored communicable disease in Europe due to its high public health impact.
• Italy has one of the highest incidence rates in Europe, with 0.03 cases per 100,000 population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiology of botulism in Italy from 1986 to 2015.
• To identify the primary sources and types of botulism cases.
• To inform public health strategies for prevention and control.

Main Methods:

• Case-based passive surveillance system utilized.
• Physicians notify Local Health Units and the Ministry of Health upon suspected diagnosis.
• Data collected from 1986 to 2015 on confirmed and suspected botulism cases.

Main Results:

• 466 confirmed cases of botulism out of 1,257 suspected cases were recorded in Italy between 1986 and 2015.
• Food-borne botulism was the most frequent form (421 cases), primarily linked to improperly home-canned foods.
• Infant botulism represented approximately 50% of European cases registered in Italy (36 cases), with additional cases from wounds (6) and adult intestinal colonization (3).

Conclusions:

• Food-borne botulism, particularly from home-preserved foods, poses a significant public health risk in Italy.
• Enhanced public awareness campaigns regarding food safety are crucial.
• Improved training for front-line medical personnel is essential for timely and accurate botulism diagnosis.