Reggio Emilia launches mosquito control after suspected chikungunya case

Following the identification of a suspected chikungunya case in Reggio Emilia, the municipal authorities issued an urgent order to begin mosquito disinfestation. The first operation started during the night of 25‑26 June, covering streets such as Aldo Moro, Ragazzi del ‘99 and others within a 100‑metre radius of the suspected site.

The plan, part of the regional arbovirus surveillance programme, calls for three successive actions: adulticide spraying for three nights on public areas, door‑to‑door removal of larval breeding sites in private yards, and a repeat larvicide treatment of public waste containers. Residents are instructed to keep windows and doors closed at night, keep pets indoors, protect outdoor animal shelters, cover produce and wait at least 15 days before consuming sprayed fruit or vegetables. Contact with the insecticide should be washed off with soap and water. If laboratory tests later rule out chikungunya, the disinfestation measures will be halted.