Paola Stefanelli, Research Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Higher Institute of Health (ISS), warned that this disease is currently spreading nationwide.

Cases of meningococcal bacterial meningitis, which “is the one with greatest impact and complications”, with a high lethality “, are under special surveillance right now, she said.

Over 1,000 people contract meningitis every year in Italy, and approximately one in two people are affected by meningococcal meningitis.

Serogroups B and C are particularly widespread in this nation and, according to ISS epidemiological data, meningococcal meningitis causes death in between 8.0% and 14.0% of patients and, in the absence of adequate treatment, the mortality rate rises even to 50.0%.

In Italy, measures are being rolled out to increase prevention against this disease, because “today it is the most powerful weapon we have”, said the expert, who pointed out that the tetravalent vaccine is recommended from the age of two with a booster up to the age of five, as well as between 11 and 15, with a booster up to the age of 20.

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