In Olbia , an 86-year-old man tested positive for West Nile Disease , Nile Fever .
The case was communicated yesterday by ASL Gallura to Mayor Settimo Nizzi . That of the elderly is the second case in Sardinia after the infection of a 72-year-old in the province of Oristano. The man is hospitalized in the Infectious Medicine department of the John Paul II hospital.
The disinfestation of the affected areas was immediate, prepared by the Sub-Commissioner of the Olbia-Tempio Province, Pietro Carzedda, in agreement with the mayor. Work tomorrow will move instead to the arena where the Red Valley Festival will be held.
Despite the outcome of the test, Nizzi urges citizens not to panic , emphasizing that no scaremongering is necessary . «Naturally it is necessary to enhance the ability of the community and individuals to reduce the outbreaks of larval development of the vector, i.e. mosquitoes. It is also necessary to adopt individual prevention measures, a recommendation that is especially valid for those at higher risk of developing the disease, such as the elderly and immunocompromised people», explains the mayor.
To avoid contagion, it is necessary not to leave objects and containers in open public and private spaces that can somehow collect water (rain or used for irrigation, for example). In the case of containers or tanks that have not been abandoned, they must be closed with lids or sheets and - when possible - favor the regular replacement of water or weekly emptying. The cleaning of courtyards and open areas from weeds and waste of all kinds is also useful to stem the problem. In the case of construction site activities or in similar cases, the soil must be arranged in such a way as to avoid collection of water. Also recommended is the use of insecticides, repellents and light colored clothing that covers most of the body.
(Unioneonline/vf)