The president of the Provincial Council, Salvador Fuentes, and the rector of the UCO, Manuel Torralbo, accompanied by María Ángeles Risalde, director of the ENZOEM unit, detailed the principles of this agreement. The agreement will allow for the hiring of specialized research personnel, the acquisition of consumables and advanced equipment for molecular testing, as well as covering travel expenses for verifying risk areas in the province.
This agreement introduces strategic improvements such as expanding the number of control points, especially in municipalities where the virus was detected in 2025, and reinforces surveillance in intensive irrigation areas and those near equine farms. The collaboration will consolidate the use of dynamic risk maps (QGIS) integrating biological and climatic data to predict outbreaks.
Salvador Fuentes highlighted that the Council reaffirms its commitment to anticipate the virus, using the scientific excellence of the University to protect public health. This program is part of the Provincial Plan for West Nile Virus Surveillance, which includes aid to municipalities totaling 299,990 euros. The 14 high-risk municipalities will receive 5,000 euros each, and those of medium or low risk, 3,730 euros.
The rector of the UCO, Manuel Torralbo, explained that the work is based on a 'One Health' approach, interconnecting human, animal, and environmental health. Weekly traps will be installed in municipalities selected for epidemiological risk, and analyses will be conducted using RT-qPCR techniques to identify the virus in mosquitoes before cases appear in humans or horses, issuing weekly reports to health authorities.
María Ángeles Risalde recalled that last year work was done in seven municipalities, and this year it expands to 12. She noted that while 104 human cases were detected in Andalusia in 2024, only four were recorded last year. The prevention program allows for effective action upon virus detection. Currently, 20 weekly traps and four rotating itinerant traps are in use.
The latest report from the ENZOEM unit confirms the circulation of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the municipality of Bujalance, although the vectors are located far from the population, without the need for exceptional measures. A total of 14 municipalities are at High Risk Level, 39 at Medium Risk Level, and 25 at Low Risk Level.
