The town of Los Barrios has been placed at the highest risk level for West Nile virus (WNV) this summer, according to the latest report from Andalucia’s Programme for the Surveillance and Integrated Control of West Nile Virus Vectors.
The regional monitoring system – which tracks animal, mosquito and human data – has recorded a sharp increase in mosquito populations in the Campo de Gibraltar town, pushing it into the most worrying category on the control scale.
The weekly update also confirmed the circulation of the virus in mosquito samples captured in Lebrija (Sevilla), just 1.5 kilometres from the town’s centre.
As a result, surveillance has been stepped up in Lebrija, Los Barrios, and several other towns across Andalucia.
For now, no human cases have been detected. Tests carried out on 259 people with suspected symptoms have all returned negative results, and there have been no new infections in horses or birds this week.
Other hotspots across Andalucia
In Almeria, the municipalities of Pulpi and Mojacar remain on high alert after mosquitoes carrying the virus were found for the third and second time this season.
Meanwhile, towns such as Castilblanco de los Arroyos (Sevilla) and Zurgena (Almeria) have gone four weeks without new detections, allowing their alert levels to be reduced – though they remain in the high-risk category for the rest of the summer.
Across the region, 191 mosquito traps are currently active. Elevated mosquito activity has been recorded not only in Los Barrios but also in La Puebla del Rio, Gerena, Coria del Rio, Isla Mayor (Sevilla), as well as Guadalcazar (Cordoba), Malaga, Palomares del Rio and Los Palacios (Sevilla).
Areas at moderate risk include Vejer de la Frontera (Cadiz), along with several towns across Cordoba, Jaen, Malaga and Sevilla.
Entire region at some form of risk
The Junta’s monitoring system stresses that no part of Andalucia is free from risk, with levels ranging from low to high.
At present, 16 municipalities in Cadiz – including Los Barrios and Vejer – are classed as high risk, alongside four in Almeria, 11 in Cordoba, four in Granada, 15 in Huelva, seven in Jaen, nine in Malaga and 42 in Sevilla.
So far this season, 1,970 inspections have been carried out across 773 municipalities. The report notes that 83% of towns with medium or high risk already have a local vector control plan in place. Measures include mosquito spraying, drain inspections, and public awareness campaigns.
The goal of these efforts is to minimise mosquito populations and reduce the risk of transmission of West Nile virus, a disease that in its most severe form can cause meningoencephalitis in humans.
Authorities insist the risk remains under control, but warn that vigilance is essential as Andalucia faces one of its highest mosquito seasons in years.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
