The Junta de Andalucía has declared Cártama an alert area for the West Nile virus after detecting a positive sample in mosquitoes. The alert will be in effect until September 22.
The Health Department of the Junta de Andalucía has declared Cártama as an alert area for the West Nile virus after one of the samples analysed in the mosquito surveillance programme tested positive. The result corresponds to specimens captured with traps installed in the municipality, not to any human case.
The alert, communicated by the General Directorate of Public Health, will remain active until September 22. During this period, the City Council will reinforce the Municipal Vector Surveillance and Control Plan, with special attention to drains and areas where stagnant water may accumulate.
These inspections are carried out preventively throughout the year, but will now be intensified while the alert level remains. Cártama thus joins the protocol already applied in other municipalities of the province after positive results were detected in entomological controls.
The City Council is requesting citizen cooperation to avoid small accumulations of water in homes, patios, and gardens. Buckets, pots, toys, or any container that retains water for several days can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
To prevent bites, authorities recommend using mosquito nets, light-coloured clothing that covers the skin, and approved repellents. They also advise taking extra precautions at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Gardens with abundant vegetation and shaded areas can serve as refuges for adult specimens during the hottest hours. Therefore, it is recommended to keep pools, tanks, and wash areas in good condition, eliminate waste that retains water, and periodically check outdoor containers.
The West Nile fever is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. According to health information disseminated by the City Council, around 80% of infections are asymptomatic, and many of the remaining cases present mild symptoms similar to a flu-like illness, although in some cases it can lead to severe neurological complications.
Until September 22, municipal surveillance will remain reinforced in Cártama with the aim of minimising breeding sites while monitoring the evolution of the virus in the mosquito populations of the municipality.
You may also like
