The Junta of Andalucía has extended the Area of Alert for the West Nile Virus in Palomares del Río until August 21 after detecting a second mild case in the municipality. The risk level remains 'high'.
The Territorial Delegation of Health has reported a second case of West Nile Virus in Palomares del Río, of a mild nature and confirmed by PCR. The epidemiological assessment by the General Directorate of Public Health has assigned the exposure of this new case to the municipality, which has prompted the extension of the alert period until August 21.
The municipality, which was already at high risk level, maintains that classification. The decision by the Junta of Andalucía responds to the need to intensify monitoring and control measures following the emergence of this second infection.
From the Territorial Delegation of Health and Consumption, health actions aimed at the population will be reinforced. Additionally, instructions have been given to the Health Centre of Palomares del Río to detect possible mild cases that may go unnoticed at an early stage.
For its part, the Provincial Council of Seville will intensify larvicidal and adulticidal treatments in the peri-urban environment of the municipality, covering a radius of up to 1.5 kilometres from the urban centre. The aim is to reduce the population of mosquito vectors of the virus.
The Town Hall of Palomares del Río, on its part, has increased preventive treatments within the urban area and is monitoring potential adult mosquito refuges. Municipal workers are checking areas such as drains, gardens, and vacant lots to prevent the proliferation of the insect.
Health authorities remind that citizen collaboration is essential. External treatments lose effectiveness if stagnant water accumulates in homes and plots, where mosquitoes can breed. Therefore, the Town Hall has disseminated a series of recommendations to prevent the reproduction of the insect in homes.
Among the measures that residents can adopt are: keeping pools, tanks, and fountains clean and properly chlorinated throughout the year; placing containers such as buckets, wheelbarrows, and watering cans upside down; sealing tanks, cisterns, and barrels tightly; emptying plant saucers, vases, and animal water bowls weekly; eliminating rubbish and waste that can accumulate water, such as cans or bottles; avoiding accumulations in drains and gutters, disinfecting them with bleach weekly; and using mosquito repellent at dawn and dusk, as well as wearing long clothing.
The first case of West Nile Virus in Palomares del Río was detected a few days earlier, also of a mild nature. With this second positive case, the Junta has decided to extend the alert beyond the initial deadline, which was set to expire in mid-August. The extension until August 21 aims to cover the period of greatest mosquito activity and ensure health safety.
The Town Hall insists that prevention begins in every home. "Together we can reduce the presence of mosquitoes in our municipality," officials from the council state, which keeps information channels active so that residents are aware of developments and follow the indicated guidelines.
Authorities are monitoring the evolution of the coming days to assess whether it is necessary to extend the measures further. For now, epidemiological surveillance and scheduled treatments remain in place.
