West Nile virus found in mosquitoes in Seville and Almería, Spain

Health officials in Andalusia have confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in Culex mosquitoes sampled from Benacazón in the province of Seville and from Pulpí in Almería. The findings, reported by the CSIC and regional authorities, have triggered an intensified entomological surveillance program and renewed public‑health alerts across the region.

West Nile virus can cause a range of illness from mild fever to severe encephalitis, with older adults and people with underlying conditions at greatest risk. Control actions include targeted larviciding, installation of nest boxes for insect‑eating birds such as swifts and swallows, and public advice on eliminating standing water, using repellents and protective screens.

In the neighbouring province of Alicante, doctors are warning that higher summer temperatures are leading to more mosquito bites, especially from the tiger mosquito, and a rise in allergic reactions. Medical guidance stresses cleaning the bite, applying cold compresses or calamine, and using antihistamines or corticosteroids for severe swelling. They also flag signs of secondary infection or anaphylaxis—such as pus, spreading redness, fever, or breathing difficulty—as emergencies requiring hospital care.