impaginato piccolo - Società Italiana di Parassitologia (SoIPa)

Parassitologia 50: 125-126, 2008
Tiger mosquito Control: new approaches to the issue in local
context.
A. Talbalaghi 1,2
1 Freelance entomologist, consultant for Mosquito Control District-Alessandria; 2 National Director of European Mosquito
Control Association (www.zanzare.eu)
Abstract. Until recently, the control of mosquitoes has primarily focused on them as a nuisance due to their
biting behaviour. This has now evolved into a significant health problem. To deal with this serious issue, a
rational approach to vector control should be adopted, with clear, technically sound guidelines enforceable
by legislation.
The extensive outbreak of Chikungunya in the Indian Ocean during 2005-6 and the subsequent outbreak in
the Emilia Romagna region of Italy in August 2007, should prompt a number of actions which must occur
without delay in order to prevent any future recurrence of outbreaks.
An International Symposium on Chikungunya was held in Alessandria, Italy on February 27th 2008. A number
of experts from various disciplines were in attendance, the sole aim to assess the risk of this disease
and other mosquito borne diseases occurring in Europe. The meeting culminated in the signing of a declaration
called the “Alessandria Resolution” by the experts in attendance and members of several local
authorities (see www.zanzare.eu). This act signified joint commitment of an national and international standing,
to tackle the spread of the Asian Tiger mosquito and raise awareness among the general public. This
paper will share the experiences of the mosquito control programmes in the Italian regions and in
Alessandria and Piedmont emphasising key lessons learned.
Keywords: Aedes albopictus, Chikungunya, outbreak, Ochlerotatus caspius, vector control, mosquito control,
vector competence, monitoring, Alessandria resolution, Emca Italy, mosquito, Emilia Romagna, Piedmonte
From a global perspective, scientists have gathered a
multitude of evidence that in recent decades, the world
has experienced an accelerated change in ecological,
climatic, demographic and economical variables which
have been conducive to the development and spread of
various vector borne diseases. Examples of these
include West Nile Virus (WNV), Dengue Fever and
Chikungunya to name a few. The expansion in the geographical
range of medically important arthropods has
been notable. With knowledge of this and the associated
health risks , it is incumbent upon Public Health
Agencies and Vector Ecologists to undertake initiatives
to address this problem.
Vector control is a key weapon in tackling these arboviral
diseases. However, historically, of the many vector
control operations that have been carried out, most
have been of limited success. There are several reasons
for this lack of effectiveness:
(i) Insufficient knowledge of the vector, its ecology
and management;
(ii) Little research into the pathogenic agents;
(iii) Inappropriate and effective control strategies;
Correspondence: Asghar Talbalaghi
Entomologist Freelance Consultant for Vector Control, Via Martiri
delle Foibe, 21 40068 San Lazzaro di Savena (BO)-Italy
Tel Fax +39 051 6272064
e-mail: talbalaghi@libero.it
www.zanzare.eu
National Director of European Mosquito Control Association
(www.emca.asso.fr)
(iv) Increased insecticide resistance;
(v) Vector biology.
We urgently need to know the vector competence of
other mosquito species that are present in abundance
in the territory as they could be potential vectors of
Chikungunya and other diseases. A recent study (A.
Failoux et al, 2008) highlighted this pressing need. Key
to the fight against arboviral disease is also the determination
of potential zoonotic reservoirs and the possibility
of vertical transmission, that is, adult maternal
females passing on the disease to their offspring. Other
important areas to investigate include:
(i) The interaction between vector, pathogen and host;
(ii) Analysis of “wild populations” and reservoirs in
their natural environment;
(iii) An evaluation of the modes of action of various
insecticides currently on the market;
(iv) An increase in evaluation control strategies is
needed as well as encouragement of individual
countries and the relevant authorities to undertake
these measures proposed by the scientific
community.
In Italy, there is a distinct lack of awareness regarding
the risk of vector borne disease and its associated vectors.
Contributions to the knowledge and understanding
of a preventative approach and also of care are also
missing. We must not forget that in an open minded
society with progress and vision, “ considering all of
the measures of undertaken that deal with the health of
man and the environment the preventative ones will
produce results that are more long lasting.