Pioneering information for prevention and containment of Xylella fastidiosa, a case study for the epidemic in Apulia (southern Italy)

The difficulties in the implementation of containment measures over five years of a severe epidemic of Xylella fastidiosa in Salento (Apulia, southern Italy), as a consequence of uncontrolled free dissemination of fake news, demonstrated that timely and effective information and communication on the same ground utilised by the misinformation, social media, are strategic not only in contrasting the bacterium/vectors on the outbreaks but especially for prevention. From 2016 Infoxylella®, a spontaneous initiative of volunteers (the editorial staff include scientists, olive growers and agronomists), considering the complexity of scientific arguments, the continued rapid evolution of legislation and the confusion created by misinformation, try to inform public opinion and media with simple language, filtering the essential information only from official verified sources and profiting from a continuous collaboration with the coordination team of the H2020 projects POnTE and XF-ACTORS. Thirty-four municipalities, producer's organisations, associations, companies, etc. became formal supporters of Infoxylella, now in the process of becoming a non-profit organisation. Besides the growing popularity and success on the web and social media (i.e. the Facebook page called Infoxylella.it reached 10,000 followers in April 2019), Infoxylella became a reliable source of information for journalists (mentioned asa source in over 60 articles in national journals), other media and in particular is active in the territory participating in informative seminars organised by the municipalities (over 30 in 2018). In order to involve the local administrations in prevention and public information as collective contrast to the epidemic, Infoxylella prepared an informative booklet already adopted, for printing or publishing in electronic format, by 25 local entities. Despite its young age and the specificity on Xylella in Apulia, Infoxylella.it could be considered as a case study providing useful practical experience and ideas to improve elsewhere public awareness on phytosanitary issues and direct involvement of population in the contrast of other epidemics.