The Presence of Arbovirus in Italy: What You Need to Know
Arboviruses, which are viral diseases transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks, are a major public health concern in Italy. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, arboviruses cause over 1 billion human cases every year, representing approximately 17% of all transmissible diseases. Given the relevance of these diseases, the Ministry of Health has drawn up a specific document, the “National Plan for Prevention, Surveillance and Response to Arboviruses (PNA) 2020-2025” for the surveillance of arboviruses caused both by mosquitoes and ticks.
The common nocturnal mosquito and the diurnal mosquito, also known as the “tiger mosquito,” are among the numerous species potentially capable of transmitting viral diseases in Italy. The Department of Hygiene and Health Prevention of ATS Bergamo notes that the main objective in combating these mosquitoes is to preventively combat their development and reproduction in order to reduce their density. This includes raising awareness among the population to eliminate temporary collections of water in gardens, saucers, containers without lids, ornamental amphorae, and children’s toys, which constitute mosquito breeding sites in private areas.
Individual precautions are also recommended, including the use of skin repellents for outdoor use, wearing light-colored clothing that covers the body as much as possible, and using mosquito nets on windows and doors. Additionally, specific measures to combat mosquitoes include the search for larval development foci and reclamation with the use of insecticides from April to October.
As for tick bites, they are not painful and are easy to miss. After visiting areas with the presence of ticks, it is important to check yourself, children, clothing, and pets with extreme care. To prevent diseases transmitted by tick bites, wearing suitable clothing and using insect repellents is recommended.
In order to implement all actions to combat vector insects, Municipalities can make use of the ATS disinfestation service or companies in the sector. For further information, visit www.ats-bg.it/arbovirosi.