From malaria to cholera to the pandemic: the ISS has been around for 90 years

The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) celebrates its 90th anniversary

The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), the main public health research body in Italy, celebrates its 90th anniversary today in the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. The ISS was founded on April 21, 1934 in Rome under the Ministry of the Interior under the name Institute for Public Health.

During its early years, the ISS played a crucial role in the fight against malaria, a common disease in Italy at the time. By developing effective strategies to combat insect vectors of the disease, the ISS was able to significantly reduce the number of cases of malaria. In 1971, the World Health Organization declared Italy a malaria-free country.

Throughout its history, the ISS has been at the forefront of responding to several health emergencies, including the 1973 Naples cholera epidemic, the 1976 Seveso disaster and the 1980 Irpinia earthquake. The institute has also led research projects to combating AIDS, SARS, bird flu and mad cow disease.

In 2020, the ISS played a crucial role in monitoring and developing protocols to contain SarsS-Cov-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. The institute worked closely with the regions to respond to the ongoing health crisis.

The ISS is a pioneer in public health research and has made a significant contribution to improving the health and well-being of the Italian population. As it celebrates its 90th anniversary, the ISS remains a crucial institution in the fight against infectious diseases and other health challenges.

To read the full article, visit ANSA.it.

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