The number of confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Andalucia this summer has risen to 43.
The Junta confirmed another five infections on Monday (August 17), including four in Sevilla province and the first recorded human case of 2026 in Huelva.
The latest patients were detected in Almensilla, Coria del Rio, Dos Hermanas and Villamanrique de la Condesa, all in Sevilla province, and Hinojos in Huelva.
Of the 43 confirmed cases so far this year, 29 people have suffered mild illness while 14 developed neuroinvasive disease, the much more serious form of the infection that can affect the brain and nervous system. One person has died.
Another patient has recovered without lasting complications, while the majority of the remaining cases are reported to be progressing favourably.
The rising number of infections comes as 25 municipalities across Andalucia are continue to be designated as West Nile virus alert areas.
They include Malaga city, Fuengirola and Mijas, putting some of the Costa del Sol’s most heavily populated areas under heightened surveillance.
Sevilla remains epicentre of outbreak
The overwhelming majority of confirmed human infections have been concentrated in Sevilla province.
Villamanrique de la Condesa has recorded nine cases, the highest number of any municipality.
Coria del Rio follows with six, while Dos Hermanas and La Puebla del Rio have each recorded five.
Aznalcazar has reported four cases, while Almensilla, Palomares del Rio and Sevilla city have recorded three each.
Los Palacios y Villafranca and Olivares have each recorded one infection.
Hinojos has now registered Huelva province’s first confirmed human case of the year.
Health authorities have also carried out extensive testing as they attempt to track the virus.
Laboratory studies have been performed on 457 people to rule out West Nile infection, while 119 cases of viral meningitis have been screened for mosquito-borne viruses.
A further 3,620 tests were carried out on blood donors between June 1 and August 9.
Malaga and Costa del Sol on alert
Despite the confirmed human cases being concentrated in Sevilla and Huelva, evidence of circulation of the virus has triggered alerts much further afield.
There are currently 25 Andalucian municipalities classified as alert areas for West Nile virus.
On the Costa del Sol, they include Fuengirola, Mijas and Malaga city.
Salobreña in Granada province and Lopera in Jaen are also under alert.
Another 15 municipalities are affected in Sevilla province: Almensilla, Aznalcazar, Benacazon, Bollullos de la Mitacion, Castilblanco de los Arroyos, Coria del Rio, Dos Hermanas, Gelves, La Puebla del Rio, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Mairena del Aljarafe, Palomares del Rio, San Juan de Aznalfarache, Sevilla city and Villamanrique de la Condesa.
Declaring an area on alert does not necessarily mean that a human case has been detected there.
Instead, it triggers intensified monitoring of mosquitoes, animals and humans, as well as stronger public information campaigns and increased mosquito-control measures by local councils.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
