UK holidaymaker hotspots on list of areas of concern after they discovered infected insects
Rondain Andalusia – an alert has been issued for West Nile Virus in the area with local authorities compelled to take action(Image: Getty)
Emergency plans are being drawn up in 41 towns in Spain after they were hit with an alert for a serious virus caused by mosquitoes. The authorities in the region have drawn up a list of areas of concern after they discovered infected insects meaning there is a risk local people and tourists could get West Nile virus (WNV).
Most people infected won’t get any symptoms but around 1 in 5 get fever, rash and muscle aches. In some cases, West Nile can cause serious brain and spinal cord inflammation – encephalitis and meningitis which are potentially fatal.
The Directorate-General for Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation of the Regional Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs of the Regional Government of Andalusia has declared Benalup-Casas Viejas an area on alert after confirming the circulation of the West Nile virus in mosquitos caught in the testing programme.
In Andalusia, the Regional Ministry of Health has decreed that the municipality be declared an alert area for four weeks – until October 5 – unless there is evidence of new circulation of the West Nile virus.
25 towns in Cadiz that are at medium risk from West Nile virus:
- Alcalá del Valle
- Algar
- Arcos de la Frontera
- Bornos
- Cádiz
- Castellar de la Frontera
- Chiclana de la Frontera
- Chipiona
- Conil de la Frontera
- El Bosque
- El Gastor
- El Puerto de Santa María
- Espera
- Jimena de la Frontera
- La Línea de la Concepción
- Olvera
- Paterna de Rivera
- Rota
- San Fernando
- San Martín del Tesorillo
- San Roque
- Sanlúcar de Barrameda
- Torre Alháquime
- Trebujena
- Zahara
16 towns at high risk for West Nile virus in Andalucia:
- Alcalá de los Gazules
- Algeciras
- Algodonales
- Barbate
- Benalup-Casas Viejas
- Jerez de la Frontera
- Los Barrios
- Medina-Sidonia
- Prado del Rey
- Puerto Real
- Puerto Serrano
- San José del Valle
- Tarifa, Ubrique
- Vejer de la Frontera
- Villamartín
The new alert status puts in place measures for the next four weeks – or until no new cases are reported or the virus is detected in mosquitoes, birds or horses in this territory for an equivalent period, means intensifying the three types of surveillance (entomological, animal and human) in the area, activating promotional activities in educational centres and residences in the surrounding area, and strengthening communication with the public through community pharmacies and nursing services so that they take the necessary protective measures against WNV.
The local administration has been ordered intensify measures to control and treat mosquitoes that transmit the disease while the area is on alert. The Regional Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs of the Regional Government of Andalusia, has also confirmed the circulation of the Nile virus in mosquitoes in La Puebla de los Infantes (Seville), for the second time, and Barbate, in both cases in traps more than 1.5 kilometres from the population centre, meaning that the two municipalities remain at high risk.
How to avoid getting WNV
The Directorate-General for Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation has told tourists and residents they need to use registered topical mosquito repellents, cover most of the body with light-coloured clothing, avoid strong smells (perfumes, scented soaps, etc.) because they attract mosquitoes, and try not to go out at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
Health authorities also encourage people to reinforce domestic measures: install mosquito nets, use domestic insecticides/environmental repellents, and turn off lights when not needed, as light attracts mosquitoes.
Another essential measure is to avoid creating areas of standing water, where mosquitoes breed their larvae. Properly maintaining ponds, swimming pools, and laundry areas and emptying any water that may accumulate and go unnoticed in gardens, flower pots, toys, or buckets is recommended.
The risk map drawn up by the Andalusian Regional Government’s Programme for the Surveillance and Comprehensive Control of West Nile Fever (WNF) Vectors places Cádiz as the province with the second-highest number of affected municipalities.