by InTrieste
Authorities in Trieste announced that part of the city center will undergo disinfestation procedures on Friday, September 26, after a confirmed case of dengue fever was reported by the regional health authority.
The affected area, extending about 200 meters from Piazza Unità d’Italia to Via Tigor, will be the focus of larvicide and adulticide treatments carried out in two phases: larvicide spraying beginning at 4 a.m. and adulticide treatment starting around 8:30 p.m., weather permitting.
The measures, ordered by Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, aim to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and prevent further spread of the disease. Residents and businesses within the designated area have been instructed to comply with detailed guidelines, including removing or covering containers that might collect rainwater, treating private drains and gutters with larvicides, and keeping outdoor spaces clear of weeds and debris.
During the disinfestation, residents are advised to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, suspend air circulation systems, and keep pets inside. Fruits and vegetables should be harvested or covered before the spraying, and items left outdoors, including children’s toys and furniture, should be cleaned after the operation.
A temporary ban on vehicle traffic will also be enforced between 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. across several streets in the historic center to allow safe access for crews. Emergency vehicles, law enforcement, and the disinfestation teams will be exempt.
The order further requires ongoing vigilance in the weeks ahead. Residents are urged to regularly empty or cover containers that could hold stagnant water, maintain gardens and courtyards to reduce mosquito habitats, and ensure unused pools or fountains are either emptied or treated.
The dengue case was confirmed by the Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina’s Department of Prevention. While dengue is more common in tropical and subtropical regions, sporadic cases have been recorded in Italy in recent years, raising concerns about the role of mosquitoes in transmitting the virus locally.
