The Erice 58 Charter on 'The health of migrants. An equity challenge for the public health system'.

Abstract: The Erice 58 Charter titled "The Health of Migrants: a Challenge of Equity for the Public Health System", was unanimously approved at the conclusion of the 58th Residential Course of the School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine 'Giuseppe D'Alessandro' entitled "The Health of Migrants: a Challenge of Equity for the Public Health System. Epidemiological, clinical-relational, regulatory, organisational, training and public communication aspects at international, national and local level', which took place from 28 March to 2 April 2022 in Erice (Sicily, Italy), at the 'Ettore Majorana' Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture. The Course was promoted by the Italian Society of Migration Medicine (S.I.M.M.) and the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SItI), with the collaboration and patronage of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS). 72 learners participated (mainly resident doctors in 'Hygiene and Preventive Medicine' but also other health service professionals), whose average age was 37 years; on the basis of territorial origin, 13 of the 20 Italian regions were represented. During the intense learning experience, which consisted of 18 frontal lessons (with 20 lecturers from the bio-medical, socio-anthropological and journalistic fields) and 7 working group sessions (supported by 4 classroom tutors in addition to the lecturers) in 'blended learning' mode, the various dimensions and critical issues related to the possibility of guaranteeing truly inclusive health policies for foreigners/migrants, throughout the country, were identified and discussed from an 'Health Equity' perspective. This enabled a small editorial group to draw up the basic document that, in the last session of the Course, was discussed and modified by all participants into the version of the 'Erice 58 Charter' presented here.

Differences in the incidence and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection between Italian and non-Italian nationals using routine data.

OBJECTIVES: This study was to compare the incidence and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection between Italian and non-Italian nationals. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively analysed data from the COVID-19 Italian integrated surveillance system (14 September 2020 to 17 October 2021). METHODS: We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of infection and, among cases, the HRs of death, hospitalisation and subsequent admission to intensive care unit in non-Italian nationals relative to Italian nationals. Estimates were adjusted for differences in sociodemographic characteristics and in the week and region of diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 4,111,067 notified cases, 336,265 (8.2%) were non-Italian nationals. Compared with Italian nationals, non-Italians showed a lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (HR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-0.81). However, once diagnosed, they were more likely to be hospitalised (HR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.87-1.92) and then admitted to intensive care unit (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.13), with differences larger in those coming from countries with a lower human development index. Compared with Italian cases, an increased rate of death was observed in non-Italian cases from low-human development index countries (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.23-1.62). The HRs of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes slightly increased after the start of the vaccination campaign. CONCLUSIONS: Underdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis in non-Italian nationals could explain their lower incidence compared with Italians and, among cases, their higher probability to present clinical conditions leading to worse outcomes. Facilitating early access to vaccination, diagnosis and treatment would improve the control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and health outcomes in this vulnerable group.

Strengthening preparedness against global health threats: A paradigm shift based on One Health approaches.

The implementation of preparedness strategies to prevent and mitigate the impact of global health threats poses several challenges. It should promptly identify cross-cutting drivers of pandemic threats, assess context-specific risks, engage multiple stakeholders, and translate complex data from multiple sources into accessible information for action. This requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary and multisectoral effort engaging systems that, most of the time, work in isolation. The One Health (OH) approach promotes the collaboration and communication among different disciplines and sectors, and could be applied across the preparedness phases at national and international level. We discuss here gaps and needs in preparedness strategies, which can benefit from the OH approach, and a set of actionable recommendations, as shared with the G20-2021 with a dedicated Policy Brief. The discussion adds to the current debate about OH operationalization and promotes a paradigm shift towards coordinated prevention and preparedness strategies for early assessment and management of global health threats.

Early childhood vaccination coverage and timeliness by macro-area of origin in children born to foreign women residing in Italy.

OBJECTIVES: Country of origin might affect vaccine uptake in children born to immigrants. We aimed to evaluate differences in childhood vaccination coverage (VC) and timeliness by macro-area of origin of foreign mothers residing in Italy. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective birth cohorts. METHODS: We analysed data of 23,287 children born in 2009-2014 to foreign women in the cities of Rome, Turin and Treviso. We retrieved data through record-linkage of the population, vaccination and birth registries. We estimated VCs at different ages for vaccines against tetanus, measles and meningococcal group-C, using the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors associated with vaccine uptake were evaluated using multilevel Poisson models. RESULTS: Estimates of VC at any age and for all antigens were significantly lower in children born to women from Asia and higher in children born to women from Africa, as compared to other macro-areas. Similar differences by area of origin were observed for timeliness; independently of mother's sociodemographic characteristics and neonatal outcomes, the probability of delay vaccination after 2 years of age for each antigen was highest in children born to women from Asia. The risk of missed vaccination for all antigens was significantly higher in children born to younger and unemployed women. CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to area of origin (e.g., cultural habits, language skills) are likely to affect parents' decision to vaccinate their children. These factors, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, should be adequately investigated and addressed to increase vaccine uptake in foreign children, especially those born to Asian women.

Congenital rubella still a public health problem in Italy: analysis of national surveillance data from 2005 to 2013.

In accordance with the goal of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, the Italian national measles and rubella elimination plan aims to reduce the incidence of congenital rubella cases to less than one case per 100,000 live births by the end of 2015. We report national surveillance data for congenital rubella and rubella in pregnancy from 2005 to 2013. A total of 75 congenital rubella infections were reported; the national annual mean incidence was 1.5/100,000 live births, including probable and confirmed cases according to European Union case definition. Two peaks occurred in 2008 and 2012 (5.0 and 3.6/100,000 respectively). Overall, 160 rubella infections in pregnancy were reported; 69/148 women were multiparous and 38/126 had had a rubella antibody test before pregnancy. Among reported cases, there were 62 infected newborns, 31 voluntary abortions, one stillbirth and one spontaneous abortion. A total of 24 newborns were unclassified and 14 women were lost to follow-up, so underestimation is likely. To improve follow-up of cases, systematic procedures for monitoring infected mothers and children were introduced in 2013. To prevent congenital rubella, antibody screening before pregnancy and vaccination of susceptible women, including post-partum and post-abortum vaccination, should be promoted. Population coverage of two doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccination of ≥ 95% should be maintained and knowledge of health professionals improved.

Analysis of national measles surveillance data in Italy from October 2010 to December 2011 and priorities for reaching the 2015 measles elimination goal.

From 1 October 2010 to 31 December 2011, Italy experienced high measles burden with 5,568 measles cases (37.4% laboratory-confirmed) reported to the enhanced measles surveillance system (cumulative incidence in the 15-month reference period: 9.2/100,000 population). Adolescents and young adults were especially affected, and the median age of cases was 18 years. Most cases (95.8%) were either unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. Complications were reported for 20.3% of cases, including 135 cases of pneumonia, seven of encephalitis and one case of Guillain­Barré syndrome. One death occurred in an immunocompromised adult. Over 1,300 cases were hospitalised. Identified priorities for reaching the measles elimination goal include evidence-based interventions such as reminder/recall for both doses of measles vaccine, supplementary immunisation activities aimed at susceptible age cohorts, and vaccinating healthcare workers.

Epidemiological surveillance of West Nile neuroinvasive diseases in Italy, 2008 to 2011.

We describe the geographical and temporal distribution of West Nile neuroinvasive diseases (WNND) cases in Italy from 2008 to 2011. The increasing number of confirmed human cases from eight in 2008 to 18 in 2009 and the occurrence of the virus in a larger geographical area in 2009 (moving from east to west) prompted the Ministry of Health to publish, in spring 2010, a national programme for WNND human surveillance, comprising veterinary and vector surveillance. Subsequently, in 2011, a new national plan on integrated human surveillance of imported and autochthonous vector-borne diseases (chikungunya, dengue and West Nile disease) was issued. Between 2008 and 2011, 43 cases of WNND were reported from five regions in Italy with a case fatality rate of 16%. The incidence of WNND during the entire study period was 0.55 per 100,000 population (range: 0.06­0.23 per 100,000). During 2011, two new regions (Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Sardinia) reported confirmed cases in humans. Integrated human, entomological and animal surveillance for West Nile virus is a public health priority in Italy and will be maintained during 2012.

Syndromic surveillance of epidemic-prone diseases in response to an influx of migrants from North Africa to Italy, May to October 2011.

Following civil unrest in North Africa early in 2011, there was a large influx of migrants in Italy. A syndromic surveillance system was set up in April to monitor the health of this migrant population and respond rapidly to any health emergency. In the first six months, the system produced 67 alerts across all syndromes monitored and four alarms. There were no health emergencies, however, indicating that this migration flow was not associated with an increased risk of communicable disease transmission in Italy.

Measles in Italy, July 2009 to September 2010.

Outbreaks of measles continue to occur in Italy, as in other European countries. We present here details of cases reported through the Italian enhanced measles surveillance system from July 2009 to September 2010. In total, 2,151 cases were reported, 42% (n=895) of which were laboratory confirmed. The median age of cases was 18 years and 1,709 of 1,856 cases (92%) were unvaccinated. Many cases with complications were reported (n=305), including three with encephalitis. A total of 652 of 1,822 cases (36%) were hospitalised. Molecular characterisation revealed circulation of a limited number of measles virus genotypes (D4, D8 and B3), which is consistent with the current epidemiology of the disease in Italy. A national measles elimination plan was approved in 2003 with the aim of interrupting endemic measles transmission by 2007. Since elimination was not achieved, the target date was recently moved to 2015. The emphasis of the new elimination plan, approved in March 2011, is on strengthening surveillance, implementing evidence based-interventions to increase measles-mumps-rubella vaccine uptake in children, adolescents and young adults, and implementing communication activities related to the vaccine. The strategies proposed by the plan should be implemented fully and appropriately by all regions in order to meet the elimination goal by 2015.

Knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) regarding newborn feeding modalities in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre study.

Exclusive formula feeding, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) with early weaning or the administration of antiretroviral therapy to lactating mothers and/or to breastfed newborns may lower postnatal HIV transmission. The aim of this study was to assess mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) on lactation in various real-life settings in sub-Saharan Africa. A questionnaire survey investigating KAP with regard to breastfeeding in pregnant women of unknown status (Questionnaire A, 16 items) or HIV-infected women (Questionnaire B, 37 items) was administered. Associations between newborn feeding KAP and demographic, socioeconomic, cultural and obstetric variables were investigated. From January 2007 to January 2008, 2112 pregnant women answered Questionnaire A in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Most women (53.0%) declared EBF as the preferred feeding modality. The practice of strictly defined EBF in previous pregnancies was only 11.4%, which was inversely correlated with education and parity. Questionnaire B was answered by 225 HIV-infected pregnant women in Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Uganda. Knowledge about the lactation-associated risk was associated with previous dead children. Significant variability was observed among collaborating sites. The introduction of fluids other than maternal milk within 6 months of age is common practice in sub-Saharan Africa, requiring intensive health education efforts if strictly defined EBF is to be adopted to decrease HIV postnatal transmission. Significant variation in newborn feeding determinants was observed.

Response to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in Italy.

In Italy, the arrival of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus triggered an integrated response that was mainly based on the 2006 National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan. In this article we analyse the main activities implemented for epidemiological surveillance, containment and mitigation of the pandemic influenza and the lesson learned from this experience. Overall, from week 31 (27 July ­ 2 August) of 2009 to week 17 (26 April ­ 2 May) of 2010, we estimate that there were approximately 5,600,000 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) who received medical attention (with almost 2,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic influenza from May to October 2009). A total of 1,106 confirmed cases were admitted to hospital for serious conditions, of whom 532 were admitted to intensive care units. There were 260 reported deaths due to pandemic influenza. Approximately 870,000 first doses of the pandemic vaccine were administered, representing a vaccine coverage of 4% of the target population. One of the possible reasons for the low uptake of the pandemic vaccine in the target population could be the communication strategy adopted, for both the general population and healthcare workers, which turned out to be a major challenge. Active involvement of all health professionals (at local, regional and national level) in influenza pandemic preparedness and response should be encouraged in the future.

West Nile virus transmission with human cases in Italy, August - September 2009.

In 2009, to date 16 human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) have been reported in Italy, in three regions: Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia. The number of cases is higher compared with last year when nine cases were identified (eight cases of WNND and one case of West Nile fever) and the geographical distribution indicates spread from east to west.

Enhanced epidemiological surveillance of influenza A(H1N1)v in Italy.

As of 7 July 2009, a total of 158 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1)v were reported in Italy, from half of the 21 Italian regions. To date all cases have had symptoms consistent with seasonal influenza and no severe or fatal cases have been reported. An active surveillance of cases has been set up in Italy in order to undertake appropriate measures to slow down the spread of the new virus. This report describes the routine and enhanced surveillance currently ongoing in Italy.

EpiSouth: a network for communicable disease control in the Mediterranean region and the Balkans.

The countries around the Mediterranean Sea share epidemiological characteristics and public health problems. In 2006 the EpiSouth Project was started as a framework for collaboration for communicable diseases surveillance and training in the Mediterranean Basin. As of December 2008, 26 countries from southern Europe, the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle-East are members of EpiSouth and several international organisations and institutions collaborate: the European Commission (EC), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the Italian Ministry of Work, Health and Social Policies and the World Health Organization (WHO). The project is coordinated by the Italian national public health institute and three work packages (WPs) Cross-border epidemic intelligence, vaccine preventable diseases and migrants and Cross-border emerging zoonoses are operated by the national institutes of France, Bulgaria and Greece. These WPs constitute technical pillars on which the project develops. Networking and Training are WPs dedicated to capacity building and are run by the Padua Teaching Hospital (Italy) and the Spanish national public health institute. A steering committee guides EpiSouth's activities while all countries collaborate through WP steering teams and focal points. A number of outcomes have been accomplished and documents with results are available from the EpiSouth website which hosts a public website and a restricted area for direct sharing of information among the participants. Five electronic bulletins were published, two trainings for 63 participants performed, national epidemic intelligence systems were evaluated, a preliminary survey on vaccine-preventable diseases and migrants performed, and a list of priorities for emerging zoonoses in the Mediterranean area was selected. Overall the network succeeded in creating cohesion, mutual trust and concrete collaboration on cross-border public health issues in a geographical area that is not addressed as a whole by any other initiative or organisation.

Investigating factors associated with uptake of HIV voluntary counselling and testing among pregnant women living in North Uganda.

We investigated factors potentially associated with the uptake of HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), which is the first step in acceding to programmes for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection. For the period 2001-2003, we estimated the VCT uptake among the 12,252 first-time attendees of the Antenatal Clinic (ANC) at Lacor Hospital (Gulu District, North Uganda). Associations between VCT uptake and socio-demographic characteristics and reproductive history were evaluated using log binomial regression models. VCT uptake was 55.6% for the overall study period; it increased from 51.0% in 2001 to 58.6% in 2002 and 57.7% in 2003 (P <0.001). Having some education [primary versus none, adjusted prevalence proportion ratio (PPR) =1.05, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.00-1.10] and being unmarried (cohabitating, PPR =1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.10; single/widowed/divorced, PPR =1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.18) were significantly associated with VCT uptake. Associations of borderline significance were found for: recent change of residence, having a partner with a modern occupation, and past use of contraceptives. VCT uptake is still low in this district of North Uganda. Although some socio-demographic factors were found to have been associated with uptake, the associations were weak and not of public-health significance.

The disease profile of poverty: morbidity and mortality in northern Uganda in the context of war, population displacement and HIV/AIDS.

The population of Gulu District (northern Uganda) has been severely incapacitated by war, epidemics and social disruption. This study is aimed at describing disease patterns and trends in this area through a retrospective analysis of discharge records for 155205 in-patients of Lacor Hospital in the period 1992-2002. The burden of infectious diseases in childhood is overwhelming, with malaria accounting for the steepest increase in admissions. Admissions for war-related injuries and malnutrition fluctuated with the intensity of the war and the severity of famine. Emerging and re-emerging infections, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and Ebola, accounted for a heavy disease burden; however, there has been a trend for admissions related to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis to decrease since the implementation of community-based services. Vulnerable groups (infants, children and women) accounted for 79.8% of admissions. Long-term war, population displacement, the collapse of social structures and the breakdown of the health system place people at a much greater risk of persistent, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, malnutrition and war-related injuries, shaping the 'disease profile of poverty'. Most of the disease burden results from infectious diseases of childhood, whose occurrence could be dramatically reduced by low-cost and effective preventive and curative interventions.

Evaluation of immune activation in HIV-infected and uninfected African individuals by single-cell analysis of cytokine production.

Immune activation has been observed in HIV-infected and uninfected Africans, among whom it is thought to modify interaction between the immune system and HIV. To characterize this phenomenon accurately, in-depth immunologic analyses were performed in a rural African population. Freshly drawn peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-infected African (from Gulu, Uganda) and Italian antiviral-naive patients and those of uninfected Ugandan and Italian study subjects were analyzed. Individuals were matched for age and sex and determined to be free from parasitic infections. Intracellular cytokines were measured in mitogen (M)- and gp160 peptides + staphylococcal enterotoxin B and alpha CD28 (env)-stimulated T lymphocytes. Interferon (IFN)-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells were quantified in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed that M-stimulated production of interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha increases in CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells of African infected patients and uninfected study subject; and that env-stimulated IL-10 and TNF-alpha production is increased in CD8(+) T lymphocytes of African HIV-infected patients. M- and env-stimulated IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells were reduced in African participants and not increased by preincubation with alpha IL-10 monoclonal antibody. This is the first set of data that has reported immune activation in rural Africa by single-cell analysis of cytokine production. These results help in defining the immunologic background to be considered in the design of therapeutic and vaccine-based approaches to HIV infection in an African setting.

HIV, malaria parasites, and acute febrile episodes in Ugandan adults: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, co-infection with HIV and malaria is probably very common. Although an interaction between the two infections is biologically plausible, it has not been investigated thoroughly. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association firstly between co-infection with HIV and malaria parasites and the occurrence of acute fever, and secondly between HIV infection and clinical malaria, defined as the presence of acute fever and malaria parasites. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Gulu District (northern Uganda), an area endemic for malaria and with a high HIV prevalence. HIV testing and malaria parasite quantification were performed on 167 consecutive adult out-patients with acute fever and no signs or symptoms of localized infection, and on 134 consecutive adult in-patients without fever who were admitted for non-HIV-related trauma or elective surgery. RESULTS: No significant association with acute fever was observed for single infection with either malaria parasites [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73-4.21] or HIV (AOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.51-2.03), whereas a significant association was observed for co-infection (AOR, 9.75; 95% CI, 1.19-80.00). An association was found between HIV infection and clinical malaria (AOR, 2.34; 95% CI, 0.89-6.17); the association became statistically significant when the definition of clinical malaria included a cut-off for parasite density (50th percentile; i.e., 586 parasites/microl; AOR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.04-12.52). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limited statistical power, the results of our study show an association between HIV infection and clinical malaria; if confirmed, this finding could be important for public health in sub-Saharan Africa.