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Andalucía has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this season, just days after a 77-year-old man died from the infection in Badajoz, a city in Extremadura near the Portuguese border. The case in Andalucía involves a resident of Mojácar (Almería), aged between 50 and 60, who developed fever and mild symptoms on 10 July and thankfully recovered fully without neurological complications.

 

This contrasts sharply with last year when 114 cases were detected in Andalucía by this time, including 11 deaths concentrated mainly in the province of Seville. This year’s single case highlights significant progress in containment.

 

Authorities have strengthened their response, setting up 192 mosquito traps across the region, with 24 testing positive for the virus. In Seville as well as in affected provinces, authorities have launched intensive mosquito control campaigns, including larvicide treatments on stagnant water and spraying with environmentally-approved insecticides to target adult mosquitoes and reduce virus transmission risk.

 

Currently, 109 municipalities in Andalucía are considered high risk or on alert due to possible WNV presence, including areas in Almería, Cádiz, Huelva, Seville, and others.

 

The case follows an earlier detection of West Nile virus in an infected horse in Mahon, Menorca, the first ever confirmed in the Balearic Islands. This prompted increased surveillance and control measures in the Balearics, including in nearby Pulpí and Mojácar, Almería, close to the Murcia border.

 

To date this year, 281 laboratory tests have been performed on suspected humans in Andalucía, all but the single confirmed case returning negative. In animals, one horse has tested positive while no birds have been found infected so far. Preventive public health efforts have included over 2,000 inspections and nearly 1,300 community awareness activities reaching more than 47,000 people, supported by pharmacies and health professionals.

 

Officials stress the importance of the “One Health” approach - monitoring humans, animals, and mosquitoes in tandem to identify and contain outbreaks early, helping protect both residents and visitors.

 

While residents are advised to stay alert and take common precautions, health officials stress that the low number of human cases compared to last year shows the effectiveness of these measures. The focus remains on surveillance, early detection, and public cooperation to minimise the impact of West Nile virus during this active season.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Sevilla