The Junta of Andalusia has declared Sanlúcar la Mayor as an 'Alert Area' for four weeks, until 14 September, after confirming the presence of the virus in a tawny owl.
The Town Hall of Sanlúcar la Mayor has activated a special surveillance and control device for the West Nile Virus after the Health and Consumer Department of the Junta of Andalusia confirmed the presence of the pathogen in a wild bird found in the municipality.
The Junta has declared the locality as 'Alert Area' for four weeks, until 14 September. The infected specimen is a tawny owl (Strix aluco), a nocturnal bird of prey that was collected and taken to the Centre for the Recovery of Threatened Species (CREA), where analyses confirmed the presence of the virus.
The location of the bird has been identified around Camino de Bollullos, with the La Calera urbanisation being the nearest population centre. Since this Monday, the Environment and Health delegations of the Town Hall have intensified vector control work in that area, following the instructions of the Junta.
Municipal sources have sought to convey reassurance: the detection of the virus in a bird does not imply the existence of cases in humans. They also remind that the West Nile Virus is only transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, never from person to person, animal to animal, or animal to person.
The device includes monitoring of mosquitoes and potential breeding sites, control of larvae in areas with standing water, installation of traps to capture adult specimens, analysis of the captures, and application of additional treatments when results require it.
These actions will continue throughout the alert period and will be adapted to the evolution of the situation and the instructions of health authorities. The Junta of Andalusia continues with health and environmental monitoring and coordination with municipal services.
The Town Hall is asking for citizen cooperation to reduce the presence of the transmitting mosquito. It is recommended to avoid water accumulation in containers, maintain pools and tanks in good condition, empty objects that can retain water, clean drains and gutters, and use repellents and appropriate clothing during peak mosquito activity hours, as well as to protect doors and windows with screens.
The situation is being monitored in a coordinated manner between administrations, and the measures adopted are preventive in nature. The Town Hall has assured that it will inform of any relevant news through official channels.
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