Mosquito disinfestation, how and when to do it to protect yourself from diseases

Dengue cases are increasing in Brazil and with it Zika and Chikungunya are also returning to circulation, all diseases carried and transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
What worries the authorities is the exponential increase in cases in Brazil and the rest of South America.
It's all the fault of a "cocktail of viruses" that are acting at the same time.
In Brazil, in addition to Dengue which has caused 1.3 million infections, with 19,544 infections per day, 330 confirmed deaths and 767 suspected deaths, the Zika virus is also a concern again, with 1,035 cases, the highest figure since 2019.
the alarm threshold is high and international health authorities fear that Dengue fever could become endemic in other latitudes, including in Italy.
The risk of "importation" of infections exists and is high, as explained by the virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco, medical director of the Galeazzi Hospital in Milan: "This number of cases is just the tip of the iceberg of a broader situation".
Hence the decision of the Ministry of Health to intensify checks at airports, to prevent dengue infections, assuming a mandatory swab test.
But not only that, one of the moves to prevent contagion is to carry out mosquito disinfestation: here's how and when to do it.
read also Are mosquitoes the cause of the next pandemic? What is happening in Brazil Dengue and beyond: what are the diseases carried by mosquitoes? The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is the first vector for the spread of some diseases such as Dengue, a tropical infectious disease, but not only.
Let's see below what the main symptoms of this cocktail of viruses imported by mosquitoes are.
Dengue Dengue originates from four viruses (Den-1, Den-2, Den-3 and Den-4) and is transmitted only through the bites of mosquitoes which, in turn, bite an infected person, and not through contagion directly between humans.
Dengue can manifest itself in two distinct forms depending on whether it is classic Dengue, with fever reaching up to 40°C, with headache, skin rashes, or haemorrhagic Dengue which in addition to fever leads to thrombocytopenia and haemorrhagic manifestations.
Zika This is also transmitted by a mosquito or through sexual intercourse or blood transfusions.
This causes fever, skin rashes, joint pain or conjunctivitis.
The main risk of pregnant women, Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly and eye changes in the baby.
Chikungunya This viral disease is also transmitted only by infected mosquitoes, which causes fever and severe pain.
After an incubation period of 2-12 days, fever and joint pain suddenly appear, so severe that they limit movement, headache, fatigue and skin rash.
As a result, patients tend to remain absolutely still and assume pain-relieving positions.
The virus can also trigger acute, subacute or chronic diseases.
Mosquito disinfestation, how and when to do it In addition to intensifying checks in ports and airports, as established by the Ministry of Health, citizens can prevent the spread through disinfestation, a practice that can only be carried out during certain periods of the year.
To reduce the presence of mosquitoes – within the limits and respects of the environment and fauna – the experts suggest carrying out two disinfestations: larvicidal disinfestation which must affect all places with stagnant water such as wells, manholes, pipes and gutters, but also watering cans and saucers to be carried out in March; Adulticidal disinfestation which must be carried out at the time of day when the insect is most active, therefore at dusk, and in the period between April and October.
Municipalities are responsible for controlling the presence of mosquitoes, and only where a infestation or in case of danger to public health, it can issue circulars to start a disinfestation in its territory.
But citizens or condominium administrators can also protect gardens, houses and condominiums by relying on specialized companies.
Beyond this, there are a series of small measures that individual citizens can adopt such as: installing mosquito nets; the use of environmental or personal repellent products (zampirones or sprays); the use of mosquito lamps, electrical devices used to attract and trap or kill mosquitoes; prevent the formation of wet areas or water stagnation (such as in pots, saucers, watering cans, gutters), read also Dengue Alert in Italy, is the mandatory swab coming?