According to a study by the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, the mosquito that transmits malaria was reported for the first time after 50 years in 11 fingers between Lecce and Otranto. Lopalco: “We are certainly not talking about an immediate risk of bringing malaria back to Italy. But it’s a warning.”
In Puglia the presence of the was recorded for the first time after 50 years mosquito which transmits the malariain particular in the coastal area of Salento among the marinas of Lecce And Otranto. This is the result of a study by the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, published on PubMed last April 10th.
“The discovery has strong relevance and health impact, highlighting an increase in the receptivity of the southern areas of the country”, the experts wrote.
In September 2022 a single example of Anopheles maculipennis it was collected in the municipality of Lecce and molecularly identified as Anophelse sacharovi, which is precisely one of the insects that can carry the disease. This survey led to the implementation of a targeted entomological survey in September 2023. And to date the mosquito has been registered in 11 sites on the Salento coast.
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“The presence of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus, i.e. those capable of transmitting malaria, is information to keep in mind fair consideration. Mosquito circulation is monitored for this reason. No alarmism, therefore”. he commented toAdnkronos Health Pier Luigi Lopalco, Professor of Hygiene at the University of Salento. For Lopalco, in any case, it is “another sign of concern about the changes that the climate and the changes in the environment are causing. Certainly we are not talking about immediate risk to bring malaria back to Italy. But he is a warning which requires taking serious measures to further improve mosquito surveillance and reduce their circulation”.
