The government has "activated" its embassy in Paris after a spoof by commercial French TV channel Canal + mocked supposed pizza chef "spreaders" of the coronavirus in Italy, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Tuesday.
"We immediately activated our embassy in Paris. We deserve respect. our citizens, workers and entrepreneurs always merit respect, especially in such a delicate situation," Di Maio wrote on Facebook.
The post called for "correct and transparent information" on the coronavirus in Italy.
"Unfortunately this is not happening and it is causing damage to our economy and our businesses," read the post.
Italy has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases outside China - 1,835 - according to the latest health ministry figures. After Iran, it has also reported the highest number of deaths outside China (52).
