Simon Wade
PLAGUES of mosquitoes are causing havoc across Costa Blanca and Costa Calida, from Alicante down to Cartagena.
Council representatives right across the region have met with pest control experts looking for additional measures that can combat the current plagues of mosquitoes.
In total, 13 municipalities have joined together to request exceptional measures such as fumigating high-risk areas at the same time.
Elche, Alicante, Santa Pola, Daya Vieja, Crevillent, Rojales, Guardamar, Almoradí, Monforte del Cid, Catral, Dolores, San Fulgencio and Aspe are all looking to establish more effective actions against the pest.
Large areas of standing and stagnant water, left after the gota fria floods of mid-September, have proven to be fertile breeding ground for mosquito larvae.
But it’s not just rural districts that are affected, the city of Cartagena has large areas being sprayed, with all pest control staff being mobilized because of the problem.
According to Spain’s Health Ministry, there are already 190 known cases of the Zika infection, directly related to mosquito bites.
First isolated in 1947, the Zika virus is related to the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viruses.
In the meantime, people are being asked to be vigilant for areas of still water that may become stagnant and attract mosquitoes.
