Canary Islands report seven dengue and three chikungunya cases

The Canary Islands health service recorded seven imported dengue cases and three imported chikungunya cases in the latest reporting period. Nationwide, Spain's Ministry of Health confirmed 124 imported dengue infections and 108 imported chikungunya infections, with the majority linked to travel to the Maldives, Bolivia, Cuba and other countries.

No locally transmitted cases have been documented, but authorities warn that the presence of the invasive tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, across much of the Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands and other parts of Spain creates a vulnerability to local outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, Zika or yellow fever. Climate‑related temperature rises and heat waves are expanding the mosquito’s habitat. The health ministry urges continued surveillance, early detection and public participation through the Mosquito Alerta platform, which allows citizens to submit mosquito photographs to aid monitoring.

The report emphasizes the need for preventive measures during the peak activity months to avoid possible autochthonous transmission.