Italy's Dengue Outbreak Peaked in October 2024

In Europe, dengue outbreaks are primarily associated with infections acquired in endemic countries. Local transmission remains rare, with only sporadic, small-scale outbreaks.

However, according to a Rapid Communication published by Eurosurveillance, Volume 29, Issue 47, on November 21, 2024, Italy's Marche Region experienced a locally-acquired dengue outbreak that peaked in early October 2024.

Fano, a small coastal city, reported autochthonous (local) cases beginning in August. By the end of October, 138 confirmed and 61 probable cases of DENV-2 had been notified. 

In total, the Italian National Public Health Authority has reported 213 locally acquired dengue cases in 2024.

Of note, the U.S. CDC's updated Global Dengue Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Advisory listed 26 countries, but not Italy.

From a prevention perspective, Takeda's second-generation QDENGA® tetravalent dengue vaccine was approved in Italy in 2023. Unfortunately, it is not offered in the United States in 2024.