No alarm on Congo, due attention says health ministry

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 6 - The health ministry's prevention chief said Friday there was no reason for Italians to be alarmed about a mystery disease that has killed over 140 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but that the Italian health authorities were giving the case due attention.
    "Surveillance is active and we are constantly monitoring the situation without alarmism but with due attention", said Maria Rosaria Campitiello, Head of the Department of Prevention, Research and Health Emergencies of the Ministry of Health regarding the outbreak of the epidemic that is affecting a southeastern province of the DRC.
    "The ministry has responsibly taken action as a precaution by asking the peripheral USMAF offices (the Maritime, Air and Border Health Offices of the ministry, ed.) to ensure due attention in the control activities for which they are responsible".
    photo: Health Minister Orazio Schillaci (ANSA).