The Junta of Andalusia has declared Alhaurín de la Torre as an alert area after detecting mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in traps less than 1.5 km from the urban centre.
The Ministry of Presidency, Health and Emergencies of the Junta of Andalusia has declared Alhaurín de la Torre as an alert area due to the detection of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in traps located less than 1.5 kilometres from the urban core, as reported by Diario Sur. The measure also affects the city of Huelva and the Sevilla municipalities of La Luisiana and Las Navas de la Concepción, as well as Lucena de Córdoba.
The declaration implies intensifying entomological, animal and human surveillance in the area, as well as activating community promotion actions and reinforcing communication to the public through pharmacies and nursing to encourage protective measures against the virus. The Alhaurín de la Torre City Council must intensify the control and treatment of transmitting mosquitoes during the alert period, in accordance with its Municipal Vector Surveillance and Control Plan.
This season, 63 cases of West Nile fever in humans have been diagnosed in Andalusia, of which 38 have been mild and 25 neuroinvasive, with two fatalities. Eleven people remain hospitalised. In the screening of blood donors, 5,369 determinations have been made.
The alert areas in Andalusia are distributed as follows: Almería (1), Cádiz (3), Córdoba (1), Huelva (8), Málaga (3) and Sevilla (19). The virus has also been detected in seven wild birds and five equines. Since the start of the high mosquito density period, 6,849 determinations have been made, with 127 positive results, and 232 traps remain active.
The Junta recommends that the population, especially the vulnerable, avoid bites by using registered repellents, wearing light-coloured clothing that covers the body, and avoiding strong scents. At home, it advises installing mosquito nets, using insecticides, and turning off unnecessary lights. It also urges avoiding stagnant water, maintaining pools and water tanks in good condition, and emptying buckets, pots or toys that collect water.
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