Alex Trelinski
A SURGE in the deadly West Nile Virus has been detected in Sevilla province according to Andalucia’s Health Ministry.
Six municipalities have reported its presence via special tiger mosquito monitoring ‘traps’- namely Utrera, Los Palacios, Palomares, Dos Hermanas, Bollullos and La Puebla.
One death has been reported as a result of the virus in the Sevilla area, which has appeared earlier than normal this year.
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The Ministry says Los Palacios has the highest level of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus.
Sevilla province is especially vulnerable for mosquito proliferation down to a combination of the Guadalquivir River, a large number of birds and rice fields.
Elsewhere in Andalucia, traps in Cadiz and Cordoba provinces have so far not detected any trace of the West Nile Virus.
Humans catch the virus when they are bitten by mosquitoes that have previously bitten birds that are infected by it, according to the World Health Organization.
Around 80% of people who get infected do not show any symptoms, but for others they can suffer badly.
West Nile fever is characterised by headaches and body aches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting and, in some cases, rash and swollen lymph nodes.
The Health Ministry recommends avoiding the chance of being exposed to mosquitoes during dawn and the hours after sunset- the times of greatest activity of the insects.
It suggests wearing light clothing and using repellents, as well as not building up water in places where mosquitoes can lay larvae.
