Malaria mosquito found in Puglia. But here's why not to be alarmed
The Anopheles sacharovi mosquito, known for its ability to transmit malaria, was recently discovered in the Lecce countryside. However, experts from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Iss) and infectiologists reassure: there's no reason to be alarmed. Although it's important to intensify controls as summer approaches, in order to transmit the disease, mosquitoes must carry the malaria parasite, which is currently not present in Italy.
Index
No Malaria Alert in Italy
How do you protect yourself from malaria?
Where does the malaria mosquito live?
Why not to be alarmed?
No Malaria Alarm in Italy
The Istituto Superiore di Sanità and infectivologists emphasize that there is no malaria alarm in Italy. The discovery of Anopheles sacharovi in the Lecce countryside has raised some concern, given its effectiveness in transmitting malaria compared to other mosquito species present in Italy, such as Anopheles labranchiae. However, as Massimo Andreoni, scientific director of Simit (Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases), explains, in order to transmit the disease, mosquitoes must be carriers of the parasite, which is not currently found in our country.
How does one protect oneself from malaria?
Despite the absence of the parasite, it is essential to intensify controls, especially with the arrival of the hot season and the increase in travelers. With the increase of tourists, especially foreign ones, expected to land at Brindisi airport, mosquito monitoring becomes essential.
If you want to take protective measures, although the danger is minimal, it is recommended to:
The Anopheles mosquito lives exclusively in areas with stagnant water, marshes and swamps, and was also widespread in Italy before the reclamation campaigns carried out during the first half of the twentieth century.
The finding of Anopheles sacharovi is significant from a scientific and health point of view. After the reclamation works and the anti-malarial control campaign after World War II, this mosquito disappeared from Italian territory. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità emphasizes the importance of entomological surveillance to prevent the risk of malaria reintroduction in Italy. Thanks to the collaboration with the Istituto Zooprofilattico Pugliese, it was possible to identify a single adult specimen of Anopheles sacharovi, thus initiating an entomological survey aimed at prevention.
Why not to be alarmed?
Experts at theISS reiterate that the discovery of an Anopheles sacharovi mosquito should not raise alarm about a possible return of malaria to Italy . The socio-economic and sanitation conditions in our country are very different from those of the past, making a reintroduction of the disease unlikely. However, it is essential to maintain high attention and continue with control activities to prevent any future risks.
In conclusion, while the presence of Anopheles sacharovi in Apulia is a reason to intensify control and surveillance, there is no cause for alarm. The current conditions in our country and the absence of the malaria parasite make the risk of an epidemic extremely low. Continuous vigilance and constant monitoring are the keys to keeping this situation under control.
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