Three parks in Mijas have been temporarily closed while the council carries out emergency mosquito spraying after the West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes in the Miramar area.
The treatment was carried out early on Wednesday morning at Andalucia Park, El Abuelo Park and 3 de Abril Park in Las Lagunas.
The emergency measures were ordered after the Junta de Andalucia confirmed the presence of the virus in mosquitoes collected from surveillance traps in Miramar during its latest monitoring programme.
Councillor for Health Marco Cortes said the three parks will remain closed for the rest of Wednesday while the insecticide treatment takes effect before reopening on Thursday.
The spraying forms part of an enhanced mosquito control plan launched by Mijas Town Hall on July 24, which initially focused on treating wetlands, drains and other breeding sites across the municipality.
The council has also increased the frequency of spraying in the affected area from once every two weeks to once a week within a 1.5-km radius of where the infected mosquitoes were detected.
The reinforced measures will remain in place until at least August 21, in line with the alert issued by the Junta.
The council noted that an inspection carried out on July 14 found no trace of the virus in Mijas, meaning the positive detection came during the latest round of surveillance.
Residents are being urged to protect themselves by using insect repellent, fitting mosquito screens where possible and removing standing water from gardens and patios, where mosquitoes can breed.
