had rare virus, Ministry starts investigations

Investigations are underway on what happened in Arezzo, where a cat tested positive for Lyssavirus, a rare virus other than rabies and found only once in the world in bats. The animal, arrived to bite the mistress, died. The Ministry of Health, as reported the Tuscany Region, has set up a technical-scientific group to investigate the case that has already met today. The virus was isolated on a sample of the cat from the National Reference Center for Rabies of the Venice Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute.

There is currently no evidence of animal-to-human transmission – In a note the Region explains that before this case this specific Lyssavirus had only been found once, worldwide, in a Caucasian bat in 2002, without its ability to infect pets or humans ever confirmed. Currently, according to the Ministry of Health, there is no evidence of animal-to-human transmission. But in the meantime, as a precaution, the people who have been in contact with the feline have been subjected to prophylaxis. How the Lyssavirus infected the domestic cat remains a mystery for now.

“Situation under control” – The Tuscany Region further explains that from the ministry they point out that on the basis of similar cases in other countries, for similar viruses the transmission capacity from the natural reservoir to another species represents an extremely limited event, which is not followed by an epidemic spread. Epidemiological investigations led to the setting up of a technical-scientific group with the Minister, in agreement with the Tuscany Region. “We are in constant contact with the Ministry to monitor the situation, which is under control – this is what he explained the Tuscan councilor for the right to health Stefania Saccardi – This is proof that our system works well, because we identified the case immediately and immediately put in place all the necessary measures “

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