“The problem will arise” –

Dengue in Italy has already recorded over 100 cases in 2024, all while the tiger mosquito, the competent vector for this virus in our country, has not yet awakened everywhere, for example in the north, but is approaching its season. Where are we at? «We are already in it, essentially», admits virologist Massimo Clementi to Adnkronos Salute, commenting on the numbers released by Hans Kluge, regional director of the World Health Organization for Europe, who pointed out to Adnkronos Salute how the he European area is already paying a first price for climate change.

«Those recorded» in Italy at the moment «have been less symptomatic forms – points out the expert who for years has directed the Microbiology and Virology Laboratory of the San Raffaele hospital in Milan – while for now there have been no very serious forms, the which means that there were no double infections”, which complicate the picture and risk causing the pathology to degenerate. “But it also means that we are heading towards the season in which the Dengue problem will arise.” And it will be posed, Clementi specifies, «in proportion to the way in which we are able to limit the proliferation of insects that allow the circulation of the virus. The outcome will depend on us, on how we defend ourselves against these cases and these vectors that are carrying the infection. It may seem like we are waging war against windmills if we say we have to defend ourselves from the tiger mosquito, but in reality there are chemical ways to do it.” Certainly, underlines Clementi, «climate change is making itself felt in relation to the colonization of our areas by vectors and, consequently, it will be felt in relation to the fact that Dengue will arrive. We are becoming a country more similar to the others that overlook the Mediterranean from Africa, countries that could have the same climate that Italy will soon have. And these carriers take advantage of it. What if political will is needed to address the issue? Of course, this will be a problem in the future. But a problem that cannot be addressed with the Green pass – he smiles – We could ask the mosquito, but I doubt it works”.