Sicily establishes diphtheria task force after child's death

diphtheria Sicily pediatric vaccination public health Corynebacterium diphteriae

The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) has confirmed that samples from a hospital in Palermo tested positive for Corynebacterium diphtheriae and the respiratory toxin gene. This confirmation follows the death of a four-year-old girl, Anna Rosa, who was not fully vaccinated.

Public health authorities have launched several responses. The Sicilian Region has established a specialized task force, led by Giacomo Scalzo, to monitor potential outbreaks and increase pediatric vaccination rates, specifically targeting children aged 0-24 months and the 5-6 year booster. Local health authorities in Enna and Messina are conducting checks to identify children with incomplete vaccination schedules and are contacting families directly to facilitate catch-up doses.

In Catania, health services have expanded walk-in access for initial vaccinations for children born in 2024 and 2025. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing, with at least ten family members testing positive for the bacteria; however, they remain healthy due to their vaccination status and are currently in isolation. Meanwhile, the Palermo Prosecutor's Office has placed the child's parents under investigation for manslaughter by omission as authorities examine the clinical management of the case prior to her death.

Entities

Anna Rosa Bartolotta · Asp di Messina · Istituto Superiore di Sanità · Marcello Caruso · Messina · Palermo · Regione Siciliana · Renato Schifani

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Samples from Palermo's Arnas Civico tested positive for Corynebacterium diphteriae and the respiratory toxin gene. www.codirp.it · www.vetrinatv.it · www.entilocali-online.it · www.senzalinea.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The task force will focus on vaccinations for children aged 0-24 months and the 5-6 year booster. www.teleacras.it · www.siracusaoggi.it · www.trapanisi.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Enna health authority is conducting checks to identify children with incomplete vaccinations. we-news.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Sicilian Region established a task force to monitor diphtheria cases and increase pediatric vaccination coverage. www.teleacras.it · www.siracusaoggi.it · www.trapanisi.it
[● 9 SOURCES] A four-year-old girl, Anna Rosa, died in Palermo due to diphtheria. www.codirp.it · www.italyreview.it · www.nuovosud.it · www.vetrinatv.it · www.blogsicilia.it · +4 more
[● 3 SOURCES] At least ten family members tested positive for the bacteria but remain healthy due to vaccination. www.vetrinatv.it · www.blogsicilia.it · www.entilocali-online.it
[● 4 SOURCES] The Catania health authority has expanded walk-in access for first vaccinations for children born in 2024 and 2025. www.codirp.it · www.vetrinatv.it · www.entilocali-online.it · www.senzalinea.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The parents of the child have been placed under investigation for manslaughter by omission. www.italyreview.it · www.ilprimatonazionale.it · livesicilia.it