In the south of Italy:

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For the first time in 50 years, a malaria-transmitting mosquito has reappeared in our neighboring country Italy. Specimens of the species Anopheles sacharovi were found in the province of Lecce in the Adriatic region of Apulia in the south of the country.

According to a study by researchers from Italy's top health institute, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), there is an urgent need to step up surveillance in southern Italy in order to prevent the risk of the disease being reintroduced.

"The presence of the malaria-transmitting mosquito is information that must be duly taken into account. We are monitoring its spread," explained Pier Luigi Lopalco, Professor of Hygiene at the University of Salento.

Re-emergence a result of climate change?
The presence of this species could be a result of climate change. "We are certainly not talking about an immediate threat of malaria returning to Italy. But it is a warning that requires serious steps to further improve mosquito surveillance and contain the spread of malaria," said the expert, according to media reports.

Malaria is a disease caused by single-celled parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The symptoms appear seven, 15 or more days after the bite of the infected insect. They vary in nature, but usually consist of often very high fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating and chills. Nowadays, malaria is mainly transmitted in the tropics and subtropics by the bite of a female mosquito of the genus Anopheles.

Malaria is notifiable in Austria
The disease is notifiable in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. In the first half of the 20th century, Italy fought hard against the malaria plague. Many swamp-like areas were drained in order to stop the spread of malaria.