A warning issued for the municipality of Zurgena due to detection of the Nile virus in local mosquito populations.
The municipality of Zurgena, located in Andalusia, Spain, has been declared an alert area due to the circulation of the West Nile virus near its urban centre, raising its risk level to high [1][2].
In response to this development, the Zurgena Town Hall must elaborate a new municipal surveillance and control plan for mosquitoes, replacing the previous low-risk pest control program. Key components of this plan include the diagnosis of mosquito larval breeding sites to identify and monitor potential sources, vector control actions if larval foci are found, and increased information dissemination and public awareness campaigns to educate residents on protective measures against mosquitoes transmitting West Nile fever [1].
The Regional Health Directorate will activate healthcare-related actions to reinforce active human disease surveillance and mobilize the North Almería Healthcare Management Area to verify and support the municipality in executing control measures. An initial environmental assessment will also be conducted [1].
The alert has been communicated to animal health and wildlife authorities to heighten surveillance in those sectors. Pharmaceutical colleges have also been notified to promote awareness campaigns in pharmacies within Zurgena [1].
The West Nile virus was detected in a trap less than 1.5 kilometers from the urban core of Zurgena. Once the four-week period has concluded, the risk level in Zurgena will pass from low to high, as indicated by the Junta [1].
The Territorial Delegation of Health and Consumption of Almería has notified the Zurgena Town Hall of the declaration of the municipality as an alert area for four weeks. The Andalusian Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists (Cacof) has been informed to activate population sensitization actions according to the protocol signed with the Council [1].
This coordinated and multi-sectoral approach focuses on mosquito surveillance, larval source management, health sector preparedness, and public sensitization to contain and reduce the West Nile virus risk in the municipality effectively.
In light of the West Nile virus outbreak, it's crucial to enhance the town's health-and-wellness measures. The implementation of a new mosquito control plan, focusing on medical-conditions related to the virus, is essential. Meanwhile, the region's environmental-science sector should conduct an initial assessment to better understand the environmental factors contributing to the virus's spread.
