The malaria mosquito found in Puglia after over 50 years. It is the result of a study by the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Puglia and Basilicata, published on PubMed. “The discovery has a strong health relevance and impact, highlighting an increase in the receptivity of the southern areas of the country,” the authors write. In September 2022 a single specimen of 'Anopheles maculipennis' was collected in the municipality of Lecce and molecularly identified as Anophelse sacharovi. This survey led to the implementation of a targeted entomological survey in September 2023.
“Every year cases of imported malaria are reported in European countries, the risk of introduction of malaria plasmodium by gametocyte carriers among travelers from endemic countries should be taken into greater consideration – warn the authors -. Our results allow to rethink and build new models for the prediction and expansion of malaria. Furthermore, to prevent the risk of reintroduction of the disease, the need to strengthen surveillance must be considered of residual anophelicism throughout the South“.
The investigations were conducted focusing on animal farms, riding stables and potential mosquito breeding sites.
Lopalco: “No alarmism, but surveillance”
“The presence of mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus, i.e. those capable of transmitting malaria, is information to be taken into due consideration” Pier Luigi Lopalco, professor of Hygiene at the University of Salento, tells Adnkronos Salute. “The circulation of mosquitoes is monitored for this reason. No alarmism, therefore”. For Lopalco, in any case, it is “another sign of concern about the changes that the climate and the modifications to the environment are causing. We are certainly not talking about the immediate risk of bringing malaria back to Italy. But it is a warning that requires taking serious measures to further improve mosquito surveillance and reduce their circulation''.
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