The Ministry of Presidency, Health, and Emergencies has confirmed the detection of a West Nile fever case in the province of Cádiz. The potential exposure area for the patient, who resides in the Los Perales area and is hospitalized in Puerto Real for meningoencephalitis, is identified as the Campiña-Serrano singular entity.
In response, the Ministry of Health has declared this zone an 'Alert Area' for four weeks, until October 16th, a period subject to revision based on epidemiological and environmental surveillance. The municipal government is gathering further information and awaiting guidance from the competent health authorities.
The municipality has had a Municipal Plan for Surveillance and Control of the West Nile Virus for years, overseen by the Andalusian Health Service. Previously, the risk level was medium, involving monthly inspections focused on urban and rural areas potentially harboring mosquito breeding sites, such as sewage systems, fountains, wastewater treatment plants, and water bodies.
Following the 'Alert Area' declaration, the Department of Environment has deployed a special task force in Campiña-Serrano conducting daily monitoring. This team inspects the surroundings, identifies potential breeding grounds, and enhances larvicidal treatments in affected areas and their peripheries, adhering to technical and health guidelines.
Inspections and sampling have been carried out in the area without detecting mosquito larvae thus far. Nevertheless, the City Council will maintain daily monitoring and preventive controls for the duration of the alert. The municipal plan includes programmed monitoring of 69 georeferenced points (43 urban and 26 rural), with authorized larvicidal treatments to prevent mosquito development.
The surveillance service is provided by the specialized company ANTICIMEX. The Deputy Mayor for Environment, Jesús Garay, stated that the City Council is acting with "prevention, foresight, and coordination," intensifying surveillance and reinforcing larvicidal treatments, considered the most effective measure. He urged citizens to remain calm, describing the alert as a preventive activation of established protocols.
Concurrently, information campaigns are ongoing for the public and private property owners, with a focus on swimming pools, ponds, and animal water troughs. Recommendations include avoiding water accumulation, maintaining treated spaces, frequently changing animal water, using repellents, installing mosquito nets, and covering skin at dawn and dusk.
The City Council will coordinate with the Territorial Delegation of Health and adjust municipal actions based on technical findings. Adulticidal treatments will be carried out if deemed necessary, following regulations and authorizations. Any relevant updates will be communicated through official channels, based on confirmed data and in coordination with health authorities.
