Oristano authorities launch task force to combat West Nile virus

The Oristano City Council has unanimously approved a motion to address the West Nile virus emergency. The resolution calls for the establishment of a permanent institutional task force, a multidisciplinary technical-scientific commission, and a specialized territorial plan to combat mosquitoes and other disease vectors.

To support these efforts, the Province of Oristano has formed an operational task force involving various stakeholders, including ASL 5, the Reclamation Consortium, agricultural associations like Coldiretti and Confagricoltura, the University of Sassari, and the Institute for Plant Protection (IPLA). This group will focus on scientific research, data monitoring, and the identification of infection hotspots.

Key priorities for the new strategy include the experimentation of biological treatments in rice fields and the implementation of new technologies for larvicidal treatments. Local authorities aim to move away from episodic emergency responses toward a long-term, coordinated prevention strategy that integrates scientific expertise with local agricultural and environmental management.