Re-emergence of malaria in Southern Italy: a remote possibility or a countdown?

Antonio Pezzulla, Laura Schioppa and Jacques H Poupaert*

Despite its eradication in 1970, southern Italy now confronts the limited but tangible prospect of malaria re-emergence, a concern shared by other warmer regions in Europe. The article discusses the rapidly changing climatic and societal conditions that are raising concerns about the potential resurgence of malaria in southern Europe, particularly in southern Italy. Malaria was endemic for millennia, and it was only in the second half of the 20th century that the disease was eradicated by disrupting the ecosystem of the Anopheles mosquito, which is the vector of the parasitic infection. This, combined with imported malaria cases and suitable environmental conditions, creates a significant risk for local transmission. As the conditions for re-emergence become increasingly favorable, and with the rise of resistance to antimalarial drugs in particular, are we prepared to counteract such a health crisis? The article discusses the primary risk factors of malaria re-emergence, with an emphasis on southern Italy, and suggests re-centering the debate around health professionals, rather than primarily on political actors.

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Published on: Sep 30, 2025 Pages: 10-15

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/apm.000039
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