PADUA, Italy (2025-08-29) – As a sweltering summer continues to fuel mosquito-borne illnesses, health officials are taking extreme measures to track and combat these persistent pests. Dr. Valerio Valeriano, a medical manager with the Hygiene and Public Health Service of the USL Euganea, has volunteered for a unique role: acting as a human lure.
### Mosquito Patrol’s Risky Bait
In a summer marked by a significant rise in mosquito-borne diseases, including 58 West nile cases, 23 Dengue cases, and 17 Chikungunya cases in Veneto alone, health departments are deploying doctors to actively seek out mosquitoes. Dr. Valeriano, leading this charge, describes his method as “Human Landing,” a tactic that has proven invaluable in identifying outbreaks. “I don’t immerse myself,” he clarifies, “but this activity has allowed us to discover many outbreaks.”
### The Science Behind the “Bait”
Valeriano reassures the public that this high-risk fieldwork is conducted safely.”I have never even been bitten,” he states. Trained and properly protected staff carry out the interventions. When acting as bait, Valeriano applies repellent to his hands and neck before heading out. He wears a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, which is less attractive to mosquitoes, and dark trousers, designed to attract female specimens. Crucially, he notes, “they cannot puncture the fabric of the pants.”
### Strategic Mosquito Hunting
His chosen hunting grounds are often hedges or other resting places for tiger mosquitoes. Valeriano will stand in these areas for at least 15 minutes, observing for mosquito activity. “This is enough,” he says. “I don’t wait to be bitten; we don’t become altars for mosquitoes.” If encountering dense swarms, the team will retreat, as it indicates the area requires immediate disinfestation.
The “Human Landing” technique is deployed when arbovirosis, or mosquito-transmitted infections, are present in an area. The goal is to monitor and identify adult female mosquitoes within a 200-meter radius of an infected individual’s home. If mosquitoes are detected, disinfestation measures are initiated. This method is considered more practical and faster then conventional traps, which require overnight placement.
Valeriano specifically targets the tiger mosquito due to its aggressive daytime biting habits and its role in transmitting Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses. While the Culex mosquito, a vector for West Nile virus, is more arduous to locate as it bites at dusk and dawn, the presence of just one adult female tiger mosquito is enough to trigger disinfestation efforts.
### Public Cooperation Essential
Valeriano emphasizes the importance of prevention, noting that while municipalities conduct scheduled disinfestations, private individuals frequently enough neglect their own gardens. This lack of consistent action can undermine public health efforts. He also highlights the role of travelers in preventing the spread of viruses. “A traveler who returns from Asia, Africa, South America, or China should continue to use repellent for another 15 days,” he advises. This prevents them from being bitten by local mosquitoes and perhaps spreading viruses contracted abroad.
- Health officials in Veneto are employing “Human Landing” to combat rising mosquito-borne illnesses.
- dr. Valerio Valeriano acts as a human lure, using specific clothing and repellent for safety.
- The technique helps identify mosquito presence and trigger disinfestation efforts near infected individuals.
- Public participation in garden pest control is crucial for effective prevention.
- travelers returning from at-risk regions are urged to continue using repellent.
