Italian infectious disease specialist Matteo Bassetti has raised fresh concerns about diphtheria as classrooms prepare to reopen, warning that a region beyond Sicily could face heightened risk, according to Virgilio Sapere.
The warning follows a confirmed diphtheria case in Palermo involving a cousin of a young girl who died from the infection, as reported by Il Fatto Quotidiano. The new case has intensified scrutiny of vaccination gaps in the country.
Bassetti’s comments come at a delicate moment, with schools across Italy set to resume classes. Virgilio Sapere reports that the expert has singled out another region in addition to Sicily, though the outlet’s summary does not name it. The concern centers on areas with lower pediatric vaccination coverage, which could allow the bacterial disease to spread more easily among children.
The Palermo cluster has drawn broader attention to the issue of unvaccinated individuals. Scienza in rete framed the situation as a lesson about those who remain “invisible” to public health systems, while Focus.it asked whether diphtheria has truly “returned” and what the Palermo case teaches about the disease’s resurgence.
In Valle d’Aosta, authorities say they have already strengthened protections, with AostaSera reporting that direct access to vaccinations and reinforced checks have been in place since 2025. That region appears to be taking proactive steps ahead of the school year.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can affect the respiratory system and, in severe cases, prove fatal. Vaccination remains the primary defense, and the recent cases highlight what happens when immunization rates slip.
What to watch next: whether Bassetti publicly names the second region and whether Italian health authorities respond with targeted vaccination campaigns before schools fully reopen.
