Two women have been diagnosed with West Nile virus in La Puebla del Río, raising the total to four cases in the province of Seville. The municipality extends the alert until August 17.
La Puebla del Río has become the main focus of attention for West Nile virus in the province of Seville following the confirmation of two new infections in women residing in the area. The cases, which began with symptoms on July 19 and 20, bring the total number of diagnoses recorded this summer in Andalusia to four, all in municipalities within Seville.
The Ministry of Health and Consumption has decided to extend the alert situation in La Puebla del Río until August 17, during which there will be intensive monitoring of both the mosquito population and the potential emergence of new cases compatible with the disease. This measure responds to the active circulation of the virus in the municipality, which is located in the vicinity of the Guadalquivir marshes, an area historically conducive to the proliferation of the transmitting mosquito.
Alongside La Puebla del Río, eight other municipalities in Seville remain on alert: Almensilla, Aznalcázar, Coria del Río, Constantina, Gelves, Mairena del Aljarafe, Palomares del Río, and Villamanrique de la Condesa. In all these areas, entomological surveillance efforts, mosquito control, and public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing bites have been strengthened.
The data from the surveillance program reflect an increase in the activity of the Culex mosquito, the vector of the West Nile virus, in the province. During the last week, abundant densities of females have been detected in La Puebla del Río, Coria del Río, and Los Palacios and Villafranca, while Villamanrique de la Condesa and Palomares del Río maintain elevated levels. These indicators do not necessarily imply an increase in cases among people, but they do demonstrate greater circulation of the vector in the height of summer.
In total, surveillance teams have conducted over 3,200 analyses of mosquitoes captured throughout Andalusia. The virus has been detected in various locations in La Puebla del Río, including the urban area and the Dehesa de Abajo site, as well as in other municipalities in Seville such as Coria del Río, Constantina, Almensilla, Aznalcázar, Gelves, Mairena del Aljarafe, Palomares del Río, and Benacazón. In the latter, it has not been necessary to declare the area on alert because the positive specimens were found more than a kilometre and a half from the urban centre.
Despite the circulation of the virus in the province, Health authorities emphasize that the four cases diagnosed this year have progressed mildly and that, so far, no presence of the virus has been detected in wild birds or equines. Additionally, the controls conducted among blood donors have not yielded positive results.
Furthermore, Health has declared an alert area for the circulation of the West Nile virus in the Granada municipality of Salobreña, for a minimum period of four weeks or until no new cases are declared and no circulation is detected in mosquitoes, birds, or equines. This measure involves intensifying entomological, animal, and human surveillance in the area, activating community promotion actions, and enhancing communication to the public through pharmacies and nursing to encourage protective measures.
For residents of La Puebla del Río and the municipalities on alert, authorities recommend avoiding outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, using repellents and long-sleeved clothing, and eliminating containers with stagnant water in patios and gardens. Surveillance will continue at least until mid-August.
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