Health authorities in Andalucia have confirmed three new cases of West Nile virus, bringing the total number of infections recorded this season to nine.
The Regional Ministry of Health said the latest cases involve two men aged 40 and 48 from Villamanrique de la Condesa and Palomares del Rio, who developed only mild symptoms, and a 71-year-old man from the Tablada district of Sevilla, who remains in hospital after developing symptoms on July 25.
All three infections have been confirmed by the reference laboratory at Virgen del Rocio University Hospital in Sevilla.
The two milder cases were detected through Andalucia’s enhanced surveillance programme, which monitors residents and visitors in municipalities where the virus is known to be circulating.
The third patient has developed neurological complications, a severe form of the disease that occurs in fewer than 1% of West Nile virus infections, according to health officials.
As a result, the Junta has extended the alert status for Villamanrique de la Condesa until August 20 and Palomares del Rio until August 21.
The city of Sevilla has also now been declared an alert area, after epidemiologists concluded the 71-year-old was most likely exposed to the virus in the Tablada neighbourhood.
Alert status triggers intensified mosquito, animal and human surveillance, alongside public awareness campaigns encouraging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Local councils are also required to step up mosquito control measures under their West Nile virus action plans, targeting both urban areas and breeding sites within a 1.5km radius of population centres.
The Sevilla Territorial Health Delegation has notified the councils of Villamanrique de la Condesa, Palomares del Rio and Sevilla, as well as the Provincial Council of Sevilla, of the latest measures.
Municipalities on alert
There are now 16 municipalities in Andalucia officially designated as West Nile virus alert areas:
- Jaen province: Torredonjimeno
- Granada province: Salobreña
- Malaga province: Fuengirola and Las Lagunas (Mijas)
- Sevilla province: Almensilla, Aznalcazar, Bollullos de la Mitacion, Coria del Rio, Constantina, Gelves, La Puebla del Rio, Mairena del Aljarafe, Palomares del Rio, San Juan de Aznalfarache, Sevilla and Villamanrique de la Condesa.
Health officials also detected the virus in mosquitoes in Benacazon (Sevilla) and Bujalance (Cordoba). However, as the infected mosquitoes were trapped more than 1.5km from the nearest urban area, neither municipality has been placed under alert status.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
