Too many cases of hepatitis A in Campania: a ban on consuming shellfish is imposed in Naples

Eighty-four cases from January to today in the territory of Asl di Napoli, 14 registered in the last 24 hours in the same Asl and another 10 in Forio Ischia, plus 50 hospitalized at Cotugno, the reference center in Campania for infectious diseases, located in the capital city of Naples. These are the numbers of hepatitis A, the fecal-oral transmission disease that is causing alarm among citizens and healthcare facilities in the region.

The data released by the Prevention Department of Asl Napoli 1 Centro speaks: the 84 cases counted since the beginning of the year are ten times greater than the average number of reports during the same period over the last ten years and 41 times compared to the last three years. Currently, the clinical conditions of the hospitalized patients do not present critical aspects. In any case, and to prevent further spread of hepatitis, the Municipality of Naples, with an ordinance signed by Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, has established a ban on the consumption of shellfish in all public establishments, including neighborhood venues with on-site consumption and immediate consumption production activities, recommending citizens to do the same and to pay attention to the consumption of fruits and vegetables, which must be washed thoroughly. Violations will be punished with fines from 2,000 to 20,000 euros. In case of recidivism, there will be a suspension of activity from one to 30 days and subsequent revocation of the authorization title. Similar ordinances have been signed by the mayors of Benevento and Forio Ischia. Meanwhile, the carabinieri of the Nas, coordinated by Commander Alessandro Cisternino, are taking action: starting today, inspections are underway in restaurants and fish markets between Naples and the province, as well as in 'anonymous' markets, to verify whether shellfish and vegetables without traceability are being sold. The samples collected will then be analyzed by the zooprophylactic institute of Portici.

Controls appreciated by breeders, who have been gathered in a consortium for years. But, they say, attention must focus on the illegal operators who hold 25 percent of the market in the mussel trade in Campania. The production of seafood in the region approaches 5,000 quintals per year. Two thousand quintals are produced by the companies united in the consortium, which employ 80 direct workers in production plus the related retail trade. Consumption peaks are recorded during the Christmas season and Easter holidays. "Our production facilities are constantly monitored by the local health authorities - clarifies Giuseppe Ambrosio, president of Asso Mitili - All products are labeled: this means that the entire supply chain is traced, from the cultivation site to the purification site."