Warning to anyone travelling to Spain after virus outbreak

Spanish authorities have issued an alert over a rise in cases of the West Nile virus. There have been 13 new cases of the virus detected in Spain this week and it is said to be spreading in the Sevilla and Huelva areas.

Six of the new cases were in Dos Hermanas, just a few kilometres from Sevilla city. ln Sevilla, three of the cases were declared in Coria del Rio, and one case each in La Puebla del Rio, Mairena del Aljarafe and Alcala de Guadaira, with the last in Campofrio, in the Huelva province.

One in five people who contract West Nile may experience vomiting, rashes and aches. More serious cases involve seizures, muscle weakness and paralysis. It can also lead to hospitalisation with complications including meningitis and encephalitis.

Across nine countries last year, the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) reported 713 cases of West Nile virus. There were 67 deaths and the virus spread to 22 new regions where it had not been seen before, the Mirror reported.

Last year's hotspots included Italy, Greece, Romania, Hungry and Spain. West Nile is particularly dangerous for people over 50 and those who are vulnerable or have conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.

Authorities are concerned the surge in West Nile is being spread by mosquitos. The Ministry of Health advised people to take preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites during the most at-risk hours – around dawn and dusk.

It advises residents to apply mosquito repellent and to wear light-coloured clothing that covers the skin. Mosquito nets should also be erected where possible.

The Junta de Andalucía's Ministry of Health said it has detected the presence of West Nile virus in test captures of mosquitoes carried out between August 1 to 8 in the Seville province municipalities of Almensilla, Bollullos de la Mitación, Dos Hermanas, Gelves, Los Palacios y Villafranca and Villamanrique de la Condesa, as well as in Barbate (Cadiz province), many of the areas being very popular among British tourists and expats.

Since the start of 2024, and as of August 21, 2024, human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection have been reported by eight EU/EEA countries and two EU-neighbouring countries. In the EU/EEA, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, France, Italy, Greece, and Spain reported West Nile virus, and from EU-neighbouring countries, Serbia and Kosovo.