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[HEALTH] · Italy · 67 sources

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Palermo diphtheria case: child death triggers investigation and vaccination surge

The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) has confirmed that samples from Arnas Civico in Palermo tested positive for Corynebacterium diphteriae and the respiratory toxin gene. This confirmation follows the death of a four-year-old girl, Anna Rosa Bartolotta, who was unvaccinated.

Public health protocols have been active since August 17, including contact tracing and vaccination verification. Approximately ten family members, mostly minors, have tested positive for the bacteria; however, they remain in good health because they were vaccinated and are currently in isolation. A young cousin of the deceased child is also under medical observation and isolation.

The Palermo Prosecutor's Office has placed the child's parents under investigation for manslaughter by omission. Investigators are looking into whether the decision to forgo mandatory vaccinations—reportedly driven by unfounded concerns regarding a link to autism—was a determining factor in the child's death.

In response to the incident, the Sicilian Region has established a task force to monitor diphtheria cases and increase pediatric vaccination rates. Local health authorities in Catania, Enna, and Messina have also issued appeals and expanded access to vaccinations to address declining coverage rates and prevent further outbreaks.

Entities

ASP di Palermo · ASP of Palermo · Anna Rosa Bartolotta · Arnas Civico · Domenico Cipolla · Emanuele Bartolotta · Giovanni Corsello · Istituto Superiore di Sanità · Laura Vaccaro · Licia Ronzulli · Manuela Maggio · Palermo

Claims

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Sources

Modica, Camper Osteria Italia su Rai 1 [www.quotidianodiragusa.it]
Per una didattica dell’utopia [laletteraturaenoi.it]