The death toll from the West Nile virus in Seville province has risen to five, according to the latest update from the Andalucian Health Department.
Alongside the new deaths, health officials have reported ten new cases of the virus detected over the past week. The affected individuals include two from Dos Hermanas, four from Coria del Río, two from Los Palacios y Villafranca, one from Gerena, and one from Carmona.
Virus presence detected across multiple regions
The West Nile virus has also been identified in mosquito populations in several municipalities within Seville province, including Almensilla, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Utrera, and Villamanrique de la Condesa. Additionally, the virus has been detected in the Córdoba municipalities of Montalbán and Puente Genil, as well as in Benalup-Casas Viejas and Vejer de la Frontera in Cádiz.
The Doñana Biological Station of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has further confirmed the presence of the virus in mosquitoes captured in the Seville municipalities of La Puebla del Río, Coria del Río, and Palomares del Río.
In addition to these findings, the West Nile virus has been identified in animals, including a horse in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), another horse in Écija (Seville), and an imperial eagle chick in La Carolina (Jaén).
Preventative measures urged amid high mosquito activity
The latest Public Health report highlights that the populations of mosquito species capable of transmitting the virus remain high, particularly in Vejer de la Frontera (Cádiz) and Los Palacios y Villafranca (Seville). Moderate levels have been recorded in other areas. These include Almensilla, Bollullos de la Mitación, and Gelves in Seville, as well as Barbate and Benalup-Casas Viejas in Cádiz.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites, especially during peak activity times at dawn and dusk. Recommendations include the use of registered topical repellents, wearing light-coloured clothing that covers as much skin as possible, and using mosquito nets or environmental repellents at home. Additionally, the public is advised to eliminate standing water in gardens, plant pots, and other outdoor containers, as these can serve as breeding grounds for mosquito larvae.
The Andalucian Health Department urges residents and visitors to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from the West Nile virus as the situation develops.
Why more cases of West Nile Virus in Sevilla province?
Seville is particularly susceptible to the West Nile Virus due to its extensive wetlands, warm Mediterranean climate, and the region’s role as a key stopover for migratory birds, which are natural reservoirs of the virus. The combination of these environmental factors, along with rural agricultural areas and urbanisation that create ideal mosquito breeding grounds, significantly contributes to the frequent outbreaks of the virus in the region
Also read: Significant increase in mosquitos that can transmit West Nile Virus