Donini: “A robust Plan, which we will further strengthen. The collaboration with the Municipalities and the commitment of the citizens are important”
Activation of specific surveillance at potential entry points for mosquitoes carrying the Dengue virus, such as ports, and request to the Ministry for the supply of tetravalent vaccine. The information campaign continues, which also involves schools
March 26, 2024 – La Region confirm the prevention strategy e increases resources for fighting mosquitoes. With approval in Junta of the Regional arbovirus surveillance and control plan 2024, Emilia-Romagna reiterates its commitment to prevention and combating actions viral diseases potentially serious that mosquitoes can transmit, and strengthens the actions against Dengue.
Developed by the regional technical group, together with the representatives of the territorial social and health conferences, the public health departments of the local health authorities and the capital municipalities, the plan allocates for 2024 1 million 120 thousand euros: 120 thousand euros for communication and education activities in schools and 1 million euros to support the disinfestation activities carried out by the Municipalities, making the 200 thousand euros more which last year were allocated on an extraordinary basis to deal with the post-flood emergency. Furthermore, Emilia-Romagna is ready with a series of actions specific against Dengue, in addition to those already planned and consolidated, to deal with a possible spread of the virus. Which, at the moment, concerns 10 cases across the entire regional territoryin line (3 more) with those of the first three months of 2023.
Confirmed so the prevention strategy per counteract the import risk of cases not only of Denguebut also of Chikungunya and Zika, infectious diseases mainly linked to international travel, resumed after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, from areas where endemic circulation of the responsible viruses is documented. Three tools put in place: entomological surveillance and fight against the tiger mosquito, pursuing the maximum possible reduction in the population density of mosquitoes; early identification of suspected cases of disease, so as to promptly implement control measures to prevent the chain of transmission of the virus from infected mosquitoes to people; further strengthening of measures to prevent the transmission of infections in the case of donations of blood, organs, tissues and haematopoietic stem cells and sexual transmission.
However, the growing attention on the risk of Dengue does not make us forget West Nile, another disease transmitted by mosquitoes, which occurs every year in our area. The Plan plans to combat its spread through a ‘One Health‘ approach that integrates the surveillance of human cases with the search for the virus in mosquitoes and birds.
“This year too – underlines the regional councilor for health policies, Raffaele Donini– the Emilia-Romagna Region is ready to prevent and combat the proliferation of mosquitoes. This is possible thanks to the commitment of the Municipalities, who will carry out the disinfestation interventions, and that of the citizens, who we ask to adopt a few but useful precautions. And in the 2024 Plan we decided, even before the ministerial indications, to implement a series of targeted actions to prevent the possible spread of the Dengue virus, which to date does not cause concern for our territory”.
Specific actions against Dengue
The planned actions concern theactivation of specific surveillance in the potential entry points for mosquitoes (such as ports and facilities that trade in tyres) to monitor the risk of introducing the Temples of the Egyptians (mosquito other than tiger) which is the most competent vector in transmitting Dengue; it’s about a species not currently present in Italy.
Furthermore, while awaiting indications relating to the vaccination offer, the Region sent to the ministry of Health one request procurement of tetravalent vaccine against Dengue, considering the epidemiological trend of infections with this virus currently observable in several foreign countries, in particular in Brazil. The Region’s request is part of a possible activity to combat the spread of the disease if the presence of indigenous cases is detected in the regional territory and the need to respond to the demand of citizens who have to go to highly endemic areas .
In the 2023 in Emilia-Romagna they have been confirmed 44 casi in Dengueof these 7 between January and March last year, while in the first three months of 2024 there are 10 confirmed cases.
The collaboration of Municipalities, Local Health Authorities and citizens
As always, also in 2024 the Municipalities are asked to activate the ordinary measures to combat the proliferation of mosquitoes in urban areas (larvicidal treatments on public land and citizen involvement activities for the correct management of private areas), in addition to the timely implementation of extraordinary disinfestation interventions in the event of confirmed viral circulation. There health surveillance on cases of Chikungunya, Dengue, Zika and West Nile disease takes place all year round, but during the period of activity of the vector, therefore from 1^ maggio to October 31st, is strengthened. In the same period, entomological surveillance is active (in the 10 capital municipalities with ovitraps and in rural areas with traps attracting adult mosquitoes) conducted under the supervision of the Regional technical groupthe active collaboration of Izler (Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna) e Arpae (Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy). To the citizensInstead, you are asked to adopt (see attached sheet) correct behavior in your homes, starting with larvicidal treatments, both to avoid the proliferation of insects and to protect yourself. THE sites at risk of infestation from mosquitoes in public areas represent in fact only 20-30% of the total, the remaining 70-80% of the areas at risk are privately owned.
The Region’s commitment to informing, even in schools
Prevention is also accompanied this year by one information campaign aimed at the population to provide citizens with all the information to implement to help reduce the level of mosquito infestation (correct behavior for managing outbreaks in the private sector), advice for protecting themselves from bites and precautions to take if traveling in countries at risk. The primary and secondary schools of Emilia-Romagna are also involved in the activities to promote correct behavior, in collaboration with the Network of Sustainability Education Centres, with the project “Counteracting the spread of the tiger mosquito”.
All information is available on the site https://www.zanzaratigreonline.it/ constantly updated by the regional technical group. Here is the material on the communication campaign “Mosquitoes and other insects, learn to defend yourself”while the 2024 regional arbovirus surveillance and control plan can be consulted on
Useful tips for citizens
Here are some simple preventative measures to be implemented in sensitive areas such as balconies, courtyards, gardens, cemeteries and vegetable gardens:
Eliminate the saucers and, where this is not possible, avoid water stagnation inside them. Clean the drains carefully and cover them with a mosquito net, preventing them from becoming clogged after cleaning.
rain Always remove grass clippings and keep the garden clean Do not leave watering cans and buckets with the opening facing upwards Keep fountains and ornamental basins clean, possibly introduce goldfish which are
natural predators of mosquito larvae Periodically check the gutters keeping them clean and unobstructed Empty the water troughs and animal water bowls weekly and keep them clean
household Do not leave inflatable swimming pools and other toys full of water in the garden Cover the cisterns and all containers where rainwater collects In cemeteries, periodically and carefully clean the flower vases, frequently change the water in the
vases or treat it with larvicidal products.
The spread of mosquitoes can be prevented above all through larvicidal control. It must be used periodically larvicidal products from April to November (it is necessary to repeat the treatment after every heavy rain) and according to the instructions on the package. Larvicidal products are necessary to treat outbreaks that cannot be eliminated and in which water remains, such as road wells, drains, manholes and all other environments in which stagnation can occur. The products are easily available in specialized shops or pharmacies.
In closed environments Plates for electric stoves, vaporizers or electric diffusers for dispensing insecticides can be used as repellents, carefully following what is indicated on the label. It is also advisable to avoid their operation when you stay in the room, especially if the ventilation is not sufficient to guarantee continuous air exchange.