ArboItaly is a passive surveillance system dedicated to monitoring arboviral infections in Italy. It is primarily based on the collection of laboratory-confirmed case reports sent to health authorities such as the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. This approach ensures that the data are reliable and accurate, providing a solid basis for the analysis and management of arboviral diseases in the country.
The data collected by ArboItaly cover a wide range of information, including cases of infections among humans, mosquitoes (considered vectors of transmission) and sentinel animals such as equids and birds. This multi-species inclusion is crucial for understanding disease ecology and identifying potential transmission risks.
One of the distinctive aspects of ArboItaly is its ability to provide data in a machine-readable format. This means that the data are structured in such a way that they can be easily integrated with automated analysis systems and data management software. This not only makes it easier for experts to process and interpret the data, but also improves the ability to monitor and predict arboviral disease activity.
The main objective of ArboItaly is to provide the public and health authorities with a clear and up-to-date reading of the arboviral disease situation in Italy. This not only supports strategic decisions in public health management, but also raises public awareness of the associated risks and preventive measures to be taken.
It is crucial to emphasize that provisional data for the current year (2024) collected by ArboItaly should not be mixed or compared directly with final data from previous years. This is because the data may be subject to revisions and updates as more information and analysis is collected.
Francesco Branda is an Adjunct professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma. His research interests range from medical statistics to molecular epidemiology, with a focus on mathematical modelling (using AI and Machine Learning) about climate-sensitive diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya, and epidemic and pandemic analysis, including SARS-CoV-2, Mpox, and Ebola. He is primarily responsible for organizing the data and structuring the platform. His main role includes overseeing the acquisition and integration of epidemiological data, as well as developing protocols and standards to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information on ArboItaly.
Massimo Ciccozzi is a Full Professor of Epidemiology and Head of Medical Statistics and Epidemiol- ogy Unit at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma. He has done pioneering research in viral genomics, focusing primarily on HIV, hepatitis C and other emerging viruses. He is known for his work on viral evolution and transmission of infections, using phylogenetic analysis and computational models to better understand the spread and adaptation of viruses. His scientific efforts and leadership in combating infectious diseases have contributed significantly to the understanding and management of viral epidemics. He has received several honors and awards for his work, confirming his status as one of the leading experts in his field.
Marta Giovanetti is a researcher in the field of molecular epidemiology and virus evolution. During her career, she has worked in several research institutes and hospitals in Brazil, Sierra Leone and Egypt, holding positions as a researcher and visiting professor. Her research focuses on virus genomics, with an emphasis on infectious disease epidemics such as HIV, Ebola, Zika, Dengue and COVID-19. She has contributed to numerous studies published in international scientific journals, providing important insights into the origin, evolution and spread of pathogenic viruses.
Fabio Scarpa is a researcher and molecular biologist at the University of Sassari. His work revolves around genomic epidemiology, viral evolution, and infectious disease dynamics. In recent years, his research has shed light on different aspects of viral pathogens, from the genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 variants to the evolutionary history of viruses such as Orf virus and Marburg virus. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to integrate advanced genomic techniques with epidemiological data, providing valuable insights into the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases. His work has been instrumental in informing public health strategies and interventions to control epidemics.
Giancarlo Ceccarelli is a consultant in infectious diseases at the University Hospital Policlinico Umberto I in Rome and an adjunct professor of infectious diseases at the Sapienza University of Rome. He holds a PhD in Anti-Infective and Immunological Therapies and MSc degrees in “Sepsis in Surgery” and “Antibiotic Stewardship.” Additionally, he has attained national scientific qualification as a Full Professor in Infectious Diseases.
For over twenty years, he has been actively involved in safeguarding the health of asylum seekers at reception centres, collaborating with major organizations in the field such as the Italian Red Cross. He is the president of the Migrant and Global Health Research Organization (Mi-HeRO). His research interests encompass emerging infectious diseases, global health, and health issues in mobile populations, with a particular focus on migrant health and frontier medicine. He is also dedicated to research on difficult-to-treat infections in critically ill and immunocompromised patients.
He has an extensive scientific publication record, with over 250 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and more than 20 book chapters addressing topics related to infectious diseases in critically ill patients and special populations. He upholds extensive scientific collaborations at both national and international levels and has been actively engaged in numerous clinical trials and research projects. He is also a member of the editorial boards of several high-impact scientific journals, serves on the scientific committee of the International Center for Social Research in Health Science at Unicamillus International Medical University, and participates in expert review panels for the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) in France and the Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.–FNRS) in Belgium.