A second person has died from West Nile virus in Andalucia.
The latest victim was an 89-year-old man from Guadalema de los Quintero, a village in Utrera, Sevilla province.
He had been admitted to the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Sevilla on Monday after being diagnosed with meningoencephalitis.
The first victim this year was an 82-year-old man from Dos Hermanas, also in Sevilla province, who died on August 5. Both men had pre-existing health conditions.
A total of 54 human cases of West Nile virus have now been diagnosed in Andalucia during 2026.
Of those, 37 have been classified as mild and 17 as serious, with the two fatalities among the severe cases.
Four patients remain in hospital, while the remaining people infected have experienced a favourable recovery.
Almost 30 areas placed on alert
It comes as dozens of locations remain under alert after either human infections or evidence of West Nile virus circulation was detected in mosquitoes, birds or horses.
There are currently 27 municipalities, one district and one smaller population centre under alert.
They include Cartama and the Campanillas district in Malaga province, as well as Pulpi in Almeria, Algodonales and Jerez de la Frontera in Cadiz, Hinojos in Huelva and Lopera in Jaen.
However, the overwhelming majority are in Sevilla province, where locations under alert include Sevilla city, Dos Hermanas, Coria del Rio, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Mairena del Aljarafe, San Juan de Aznalfarache and the latest victim’s home of Guadalema de los Quintero.
Health monitoring has also detected significant populations of female mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus.
During the past week, abundant densities were recorded in La Puebla del Rio, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Isla Mayor, Villamanrique de la Condesa and Palomares del Rio.
High densities were also reported in Almensilla and El Viso del Alcor.
West Nile virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Most people who become infected develop no symptoms. When illness does occur, it is generally mild and can include fever, headaches and body aches.
A small proportion of infections can, however, develop into serious neurological illnesses such as meningitis or encephalitis, particularly among older people and those with underlying health conditions.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
